National Swimming Championship: Mahfiz, Sonia best swimmers

UNB, Dhaka :
Bangladesh Navy emerged champions in the four-day RMM Group 27th National Swimming Championship that concluded Thursday at the newly constructed Gopalganj Swimming Pool and Gymnasium Complex.
The sailors team earned 26 gold, 13 silver and 17 bronze medals to clinch the top slot. Bangadesh Army finished runners-up with 14 gold, 24 silver and 14 bronzes while BSKP was placed a distant third with three gold medals and o bronze.
Fifteen new national records were set up in 38 events of the four-day meet with Navy swimmer Mahfuza Khatun Sheela bettering the SAF timing in the women’s 50-meter breaststroke on Wednesday.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Biren Sikder was the chief guest at the day’s closing function and distributed the prizes.
Speaking at the closing function, the junior sports minister announced cash reward of Tk 10,000 each for the meet’s record-holder swimmers and Tk 20,000 for Mahfuza Khatun Sheela who bettered the SAF timing.
Olympian Navy swimmer Mahfizur Rahman Sagar has been named the best swimmer in men’s group securing eight individual gold medals with four new national records including two in relay while Army swimmer Jewel Ahmed got six individual gold medals
Navy swimmer Sonia Akhter Tumpa was adjudged the best swimmer in women’s group bagging seven gold, three silver and one bronze with six new national records including three in relay. Another Navy swimmer Nazma Khatun won six gold and two bronze medals with five new national records including three in relay.
Two more national records in women’s events were set up on the final day (Thursday). Nazma Akhter of Army made the day’s first record in 100-meter backstroke while Navy swimmers Nazma, Sonia, Mahfuza and Lima made national record in 4X100 meter medley relay.