Nisha sets national mark

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 9: The opening day of the 52nd National Aquatic championships belonged to Nisha Millet as she sank another national record in 200 metres freestyle.

Nisha finished 10 metres ahead of the field, clocking 2.10.54 seconds to better her own mark of 2.11.43 seconds set in Indore during last nationals.8220;It was easy. I am aiming for three more records and hopefully ten gold medals,8221; she said after the race.

TK Senthilkumar won the rare gold for Kerala as he ended the hosts8217; 20-year medal draught with an domineering show in 100 metres backstroke.

The 21-year-old BA literature student from Thiruvallam clocked the best ever timing for this event in India when he shattered the field in 100m backstroke clocking 1.01.16 seconds to set a new meet record. The best timings returned by Indians are Ranajoy Punja8217;s 58.02 Ft Lauderdale in 1988 and Wilson Cherian8217;s 59.84 sec Warsaw in 1986. Wilson Cherian8217;s old meet record was 1.01.47 seconds.