Date:11/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/11/stories/2008071157091900.htm

Sport - Swimming

Khade sets two National records

BANGALORE: Virdhawal Khade set new National records in 100m and 200m freestyle on the first two days of the second FINA World youth swimming championships at Monterrey, Mexico, according to Go Sports, the sports management company, which manages his sports portfolio.

On day one, the 17-year-old Indian ace, who trains at the K.C. Reddy Swim Centre at Bangalore under Nihar Ameen, clocked 50.64 seconds swimming the first leg of the 4 x100m freestyle relay.

The earlier record of 50.66s, which was held by Khade, was set at the Malaysia Open in early May.

The relay team consisting of Virdhawal Khade, Sandeep Nagaranthal, Ashwin Menon and Aaron D’Souza eventually finished 17th.

On day two, Khade went on to become the first-ever Indian swimmer to reach the finals of the World youth swimming championships. He finished sixth in 200m freestyle with a time of 1:50.35s. His time was better than the previous World Youth record of 1:51.97s.

Khade took 1.3s off his previous National record of 1:51.65s which he set at the Malaysia Open.

Khade will now participate in the 50m and 100m freestyle and 50m butterfly races.