B. Benedicton Rohit, a swimmer from Tamil Nadu, delivered a spectacular performance at the Senior National Aquatic Championships in Bhubaneswar, setting a new benchmark in the men's 100m butterfly. On the opening day of the competition, Rohit not only clinched the gold medal but also shattered the 'Best Indian Time' with an impressive swim of 52.57 seconds at the indoor Aquatic Centre at the Kalinga Stadium.
Rohit's remarkable feat eclipsed the previous 'Best Indian Time' of 52.77 seconds, which was set by Asian Games medalist Virdhawal Khade in 2009. Furthermore, he surpassed the national record of 53.24 seconds, which was held by two-time Olympian Sajan Prakash since 2021. This performance marks a significant milestone in Rohit's career and a defining moment in Indian swimming.
In addition to securing the gold medal and setting a new national record, Rohit's outstanding time also enabled him to achieve the 'B' qualification standard for the World Championship, scheduled to be held in Singapore starting July 27. This achievement underscores his potential to compete at the international level and represents a major step forward in his swimming journey.
Sajan Prakash, representing All India Police, secured the silver medal with a time of 53.51 seconds, while Railways' Bikram Changmai claimed the bronze with 54.35 seconds. In the women's 100m butterfly, Odisha's Shristi Upadhaya and Railways' Astha Choudhary shared the top spot, both clocking an identical time of 1:03.50. Karnataka swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu finished closely behind in third place with a time of 1:03.52.
Other notable performances from the event include Karnataka's Aneesh S Gowda, who edged out Prakash in a thrilling men's 200m freestyle final, clocking 1:50.85 to win by a mere 0.01 seconds. Prakash finished with a time of 1:50.86, securing the silver, while Shoan Ganguly, also from Karnataka, took home the bronze. The Karnataka quartet of Tanish Mathew, Chinthan Shetty, Dharshan S, and Aneesh Gowda secured gold in the men's 4x200m freestyle relay with a time of 7:40.90.
Rohit's success can be attributed not only to his physical prowess but also to his mental fortitude. As he stated, he focused on his own race, overcoming the overthinking and pressure that had previously affected his performance. His coach, Nihar Ameen, played a crucial role in helping him develop the mental strength necessary to achieve this record-breaking swim. Rohit's steady progress is evident, with improvements from 54.4 seconds in the last edition to 53.8 seconds in the National Games, culminating in his current record-setting time.
The Senior National Aquatic Championships showcased a range of impressive performances across various swimming categories. Harshitha Jayaram lowered her personal best by nearly three seconds to win the women's 200m breaststroke gold. Bhavya Sachdeva matched her personal best to claim the 400m freestyle crown. These achievements, along with Rohit's record-breaking swim, highlight the depth of talent in Indian swimming and the potential for future success on the international stage.
