FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Goa’s Sanjana Prabhugaonker excelled in Dubai winning four gold medals and a silver, creating a new meet record in the 100mts backstroke at the recently concluded APEX 1st Swimming Community Open Championship in U-14 girl’s category held at Hamdan Swimming Pool Sports Complex at Dubai, UAE.
“I was overwhelmed when I got to know that I created a New UAE record in 100m backstroke,” stated Sanjana after setting the new meet record.
She clinched gold in 200 meters individual medley, 100m backstroke, 200m backstroke and 50m backstroke events. Sanjana had to settle for second in the 200m freestyle event.
The 14-year-old is currently undergoing full time competitive swimming training in Dubai under guidance & mentorship of Pradeep Kumar, a Dronacharya Awardee and the National Swimming Coach of India at the Aqua Nation Sports Academy LLC.
Following her success, Sanjana thanked her coaches Pradeep Kumar and Viji Susan Mathew for their support, encouragement and sacrifices in achieving her success.
“Getting an opportunity to train in ANSA (Aqua Nation Sports Academy), Dubai UAE under the able guidance of Dronacharya Awardee coach Sir Pradeep Kumar was itself a huge achievement. With his consistent and professional training I got to participate at Apex 1st swimming community Open Championship which was extremely satisfying wherein I gave my personal best and improved my timings in all my events that I participated in.
“Winning medals in all my events was the icing on the cake,” she added.
“Due to the lockdown all the swimming pools were closed in India and it was a great challenge for me to maintain my fitness levels.
“I worked hard in building my core and endurance through non-stop dry land workouts and physiotherapy sessions,” she added.
Opposition Leader Digambar Kamat also congratulated the Goan girl on her achievement.
