Seven more national records were set on the third and final day of the Cotton Group 30th National Age-Level Swimming and Diving Competition with BKSP emerging as the champions at the National Swimming Complex at Mirpur yesterday.
Juvenile swimmer Ariful Islam of BKSP bagged three more gold medals on the last day which took his gold tally to an incredible 13. Ariful, placed in the 18-20 age group, has won gold in every event he took part while breaking three national records also in the three-day long meet. No wonder these achievements saw Ariful win the award of the best male swimmer of the tournament.
On the other hand, Marium Khatun of Bogra Swimming Centre became the best female swimmer from the same age group by winning 10 gold and 3 silver medals. The young lady from Bogra set six national records in three days including one in 200m individual medley yesterday.
Titu Mia, who is also from BKSP, emerged as the next most prolific swimmer of the meet by winning a total of eight gold and one bronze medal while competing in the age level 15-17.
Meanwhile, BKSP continued their domination on the final day as well and clinched the title with 64 gold medals from 100 events. They also won 57 silver and 48 bronze medals. Bangladesh Ansar became runner-up with 22 gold, 17 silver and bronze medals while Bogra Swimming Center finished third with 13 gold medals.
The tournament will be remembered for the plethora of records it produced as a total of 21 new national records were set including seven from the 30 events played yesterday. Nayan Ali broke two national records in the 400m freestyle and 200m butterfly event while Himel Mia, Sonia Khatun, Rasheda Khatun and Jahidul Islam set national records in the 100m breaststroke, 50m freestyle, 100m backstroke and 200m IM event respectively.
Nasim Hossain, Sadi Mohammad Mohsin and Rajib Ahmed broke three records in the spring board diving.
Sports and Youth Minister Biren Sikder distributed prizes among the winners as the chief guest.
