The Hindu : Richa sets the pool ablaze

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Sep 20, 2003

Sport

Sport - Swimming

Richa sets the pool ablaze

By Khalyan N. Ashok

Richa Mishra of Police reacts after winning the women's 100m butterfly with a new National record at the 57th senior National aquatic championship in Kolkata on Friday. — Photo: K. Gopinathan

KOLKATA Sept. 19. For Richa Misra, medals and records seem to be there for asking. The Police ace, for the third straight day, went on a record breaking spree, setting new National and meet records in the 100 m butterfly event for women at the 57th senior National aquatic championship at Subhas Sarobar pool here today.

Richa picked up her third gold, smashing her own National mark of 1:05.22 set in National Games in 2002, with another superb time of 1:04.81 with a start to finish lead. She also lowered the meet record of Bula Choudhary of Bengal (1:06.19), which stood for 19 long years. Bula Choudhary, the former champion called up Richa and congratulated her. "It was sweet of her,'' said Richa., who has her eyes set on the Afro-Asian Games, where she hopes to qualify for the Olympics 2004.

Richa outclassed her nearest rivals, V. Sivaranjani and Shubha Chittaranjan, both of Karnataka on her way to record book.

"I am determined to get record in the next one, 200 m butterfly also. I have already bettered Bula Choudhary's mark in that race with 2:19.58, in the World Championship at Barcelona in July and I hope to do it again,'' said an elated Richa.

She said, that she had gone under 1:05, in the 100 m butterfly earlier in the Asian Age Group last year clocking 1: 04.98.

In the men's section, National record holder, Mandar Anand Divasi, took the top spot in the 1500 m freestyle with 16.54.65 for his second gold in the meet. Chetan Sharma of Karnataka, picked up his maiden medal (silver) in the event and Terismon Thomas of Services finished third.

T.A. Sujith struck in the 100 m butterfly in 58.10 seconds. Akbar Ali Mir of Railways and Arjun Muralidharan of Police, finished second and third respectively. Akbar Ali Mir was a n easy winner in 200 m backstroke.

In the women's section, Ambica N.S. Iyenagar retained the 800 m freestyle title, which she won at Thrissur last year. Wwith none to push her she did 9:46.19 after leading the field by three quarter of the last 100. It was Ambica's second gold in the meet.

Her team-mate, Nisha Millet too claimed her second gold when she won the backstroke in 2:29.16.

For the second day running, electronic scoreboard went on the blink forcing the organisers to adopt a whistle start for the events.

Tanya dazzles: Tanya Ganguly of Railways produced a golden dive to improve her own mark of 354.90 points with a new record total of 359.75 points in the three-metre springboard for women.

Her best effort was the forward twist in `A' position with a degree of difficulty of 2.2. That fetched her 39.60 points and helped her stretch the lead over the teammate Momoni Mondal, who took silver with 346.50 points.

In the men's section, Harish Analdas of Railways won a close battle from teammate Sandeep Misra. Analdas, finished just 0.20 points ahead of Sandeep Misra at 443.80 and Misra's game bid failed as his total DD was 2.3 lesser than Harish's effort.

Saturday will be a rest day for divers.

The results: Swimming: Men: 1500m freestyle: 1. Mandar Anand Divasi (Pol 16:54.65), 2. Chetan Sharma (Kar 17:19.64), 3. Terismon Thomas (SSCB 17:22.72).

100 m butterfly: 1. T.A. Sujith (SSCB 58.10), 2. Akbar Ali Mir (RSPB 58.13), 3. Arjun Muralidharan (Pol 59.18).

200 m backstroke: 1. Akbar Ali Mir (RSPB 2;14.39), 2. N.S. Abhiram (Kar 2:17.10), 3. Santanu Pramanik (SSCB 2:18.11).

Women: 800 m freestyle: 1. Ambica N.S. Iyengar (Kar 9:46.19), 2. Avani Sawant (Pol 10:11.0), 3. Meenakshi Tokas (Del 10:24.61).

100 m butterfly: 1. Richa Misra (1:04.81 NR and NMR. OR:1:05.22 OMR:1:06.19), 2. V. Sivaranjani (Kar 1:06.87), 3. Shubha Chittaranjan (Kar 1:08.14).

200 m back stroke:1. Nisha Millet (Kar 2:29.16), 2. Sumi Cyriac (RSPB 2:32.48), 3. Soni Cyriac (Ker 2:34.15).

Diving: Men: 3 metre springboard: 1. Harish Analdas (RSPB 443.80), 2. Sandeep Misra (RSPB 443.60), 3. Yogesh H. Watve (SSCB 426.0).

Women: 1. Tanya Ganguly (RSPB 359.75 NMR. Old: 354.95), 2. Momoni Mondal (RSPB 346.50), 3. Vidita R. Powle (Mha 311.50).

Waterpolo: Men: Railways bt Delhi 15-1; Services bt Maharashtra 8-2; Kerala bt Karnataka 9-1; Police bt Bengal 9-7.

Women: Kerala bt Karnataka 12-2.

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