Telangana sailors put up an impressive show winning two gold, two silver and six bronze in the Youth National Sailing Championship, said coach Suheim Sehikh.
Jaikiran Bolli, a product of a social welfare school in Telangana, chose to defend his bronze rather than try for a gold that was within a striking distance on the final day of medal race, the coach said. And, Mahboobie of Marredpally Government School had a confirmed silver well before the final race, he added.
“Mahboobie could have bagged a gold, but she received a black flag that disqualified her in the penultimate race, dashing all hopes of a gold or a silver. She had to settle for a bronze in her last-ever appearance at a sub-junior regatta before moving on to the Olympic Class Laser this year,” the coach said.
“The stars of the junior fleet were Ravali Parandi and Vaishnavi Veeravamsham, both from Udbhav School, Rasoolpura here, who bagged two golds and two silvers respectively at the nationals and the international,” Mr. Suheim said. “Ravali was not even a favourite before the nationals and was seeded well below seventh in the Telangana fleet. With the two-meter swell and winds and current, we did not expect this diminutive 12-year-old of just 29 kg to strike gold,” the proud coach said.
“The best part is that five of our trainees are now ranked in the top 10 boys in the national fleet, thanks to the huge support of Yacht Club of Hyderabad,” he said.
