Abe upstages Xavier

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Nov 11: Insipid may be the apt word to describe the action on the third day of the 52nd National Aquatics Championships...

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Nov 11: Insipid may be the apt word to describe the action on the third day of the 52nd National Aquatics Championships held at Water Works Swimming Pool here today.

The records remained under cover but the day was eventful for the drama which took place during the start of the newly introduced 50 metres breaststroke.

Abe Jose of Services turned out to be the surprise winner in 50 metres breaststroke beating sentimental favourite Sebastian Xavier and Umesh Tokas. But Abe8217;s fine effort was buried in the controversy which followed the race.

Police8217;s Harinder Singh, who finished second, was disqualified for foul start. Kailash Nath coasted to his fourth gold in men8217;s 400 metres with consummate ease. Pulling ahead of the field with powerful strokes, Kailash was racing against the clock. Despite his domineering show, Kailash failed to reach anywhere near Abhijit8217;s meet record 4.15.32 secs, clocking 4.21.07 seconds for the gold. For the record, P Vimal Kumar of Railways and Benoy Sebastian of Services finished in the order of merit.

In Sajini Shetty8217;s absence, Zeba Wadia was the overwhelming favourite to win 50 metres breaststroke. She had difficulty in beating back the challenge of Rupali Dey and Sumi Cyriac to win the second gold of the meet.

Results all finals

400m freestyle: 1 Kailash Nath Pol 4.21.07 sec, 2 P Vimal Kumar Rlys, 3 Benoy Sebastian SSCB50m breaststroke: Abe Jose SSCB 0.30.53, Sebastian Xavier Rlys, Umesh Tokas Del, 4x200m freestyle relay: Police Sujeet Mukherjee, Elvis Ali Hazarika, Kailash Nath, SH Hakemuddin 8.20.26, Railways, SSCBWomen: 800m freestyle: Darshana Rajaram Kar 10.03.02, Chitra K Kar, Sumisha Ker; 400m Individual medley: K Chitra 5.37.57, Sumi Cyriac Ker, M Usha Ker; 50m breaststroke: Zeba Waidia Mah 37.95, Rupali Dey Ben, Sumi Cyriac Ker; Diving Spring board women: Ishani Ghosh Rlys 319.30 pts, Suprarna Paul Beng, Shewta Gogtay MP

Waterpolo men: Maharashtra 9 Rajeev Thakkar 4, Sanjay Karandhkar 4 bt Kerala 6 Ajay Kumar 2, G Biju 2, TK Ganasan 2; Police 10 Gopakumar 4, Preemjit SIngh 3 bt Bengal 6 Nam Gopal Ghosh 3; Services 12 B Rai 5, Sreekumar 5 bt Punjab 3

Waterpolo women: Bengal 10 Deepa Majumdar 3 bt Karnataka 1