Kriplani, Bhavna pick of the lot

Another revelation in the meet was the 13-year-old Bhavna. The ever-smiling class eight student of Swami Vivekanand sunk six meet records. She sounded confident before the start of the event. Though swimming is her passion, Bhavna is also a keen athlete.

Some of the notable performers here;
NANITA KHURANA: Aged 16, Nanita is a commercestudent at HR College. Though butterfly is her favourite stroke, she made a record-breaking effort in the 200m backstroke for girls. A member of Otters Club where she practices four hours daily, Nanita, a student of Bombay Scottish, is also a good at academics. She secured 88% in SSC this year.

RIYAD PALIA: Aged 14, Palia started swimming at six. Since then he has become an amphibian, putting in four to five hours of practice daily at Otters. The class-tenth student at St Andrews set a record in the 200 backstroke and 100 butterfly. Though Palia has class to make it big, he was not sure of taking swimming as a future means. "It’s difficult to make a career, especially in India," said Palia.

SIDDHANT NAGRANI: This 14-year-old had his early swimming lessons in Oman and came to India, four years ago. Presently at Otters, the class tenth ICSE student of Jamnabai Narsee broke the boys Group II 200m backstroke record which also happens to be his favourite stroke. A sports enthusiast, Siddhantfollows tennis and basketball and yearns for the National gold some day.

SINDOOR THAKKAR: Aged 15, Sindoor broke only two records, in the 50 & 100m freestyle, but had a haul of 18 gold medals in her name. A student of Jasudben ML, she loves freestyle and hates breastroke. Her practice sessions stretch to four hours daily at the Otters pool.

PARIKSHIT SHETTY: Three records in the boys group III 50m breastsroke, 100m breaststroke and 50m butterfly put his name amongst the notables at the meet. Shetty started swimming at four at the Andheri Swimming Pool but presently trains at Otters.

GAYATRI DHUMATKAR: Age 13. Gayatri rewrote the girls group III 50m butterfly meet record. A class ninth student of Jasudben, Gayatri practices five hours daily at Khar Gymkhana.

Other swimmers to make a mark were — Loknath Char, Min Kwang Shu, Katie Hakim, Anshukha Parwani, Dhiren Shetty, Anuj Shah, Pratiksha Ahuja, Nimisha Gupta, Shreya Pelgaokar, Shreya Nadkarni, Ruchi Shah, Anukul Shenoy, TejasPathare.