Panaji: Swimming couple Virdhawal and Rujuta Khade of Maharashtra broke the National Games records as they were adjudged the fastest swimmers of the 37th edition of the event at the Campal swimming pool here on Tuesday. Virdhawal, the 2010 Asian Games bronze medallist, pipped the latest sensation Srihari Nataraj of Karnataka for the gold with a timing of 22.82s.
Srihari clocked 22.91s for the silver, while Maharashtra's Mihir Ambre took the bronze with a time of 22.99s. In the last race of the day, Rujuta made it a reason for a double celebration for the family as she improved on the Games record to win the 50m women's freestyle gold with a time of 26.42s. Shivangi Sharma (26.80s) of Assam and Janhvi Choudhary (26.89s) of West Bengal took home the silver and bronze medals respectively.
"It is very special for the both of us. We've been winning this event together since 2019, but every time it feels just as special as the first time. Here today, winning the medal feels great, but setting the National Games record together makes it even more special for the both of us," said Rujuta after the race.
Maharashtra continued their dominance in the Games increasing their total tally to 123 medals with 52 gold, 35 silver, and 36 bronze. Services Sports Control Board, who have 19 gold medals, leaped ahead of Haryana in the medals tally by securing one gold more than Haryana who ended the day on 18 golds. The athletics competitions were delayed due to heavy rainfall after the completion of the 4x100m women's relay.