Date:08/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/08/stories/2008100856692000.htm

Sport - Swimming

Khade keen to perform at home

BANGALORE: As the Indian swimming team wound up its training camp at the SAI (South) Centre here on Tuesday, Virdhawal Khade, the country’s best at the Commonwealth Youth Games aquatics, relishes the prospect of swimming in front of home supporters at Pune.

The 17-year-old said, “it is a great opportunity for me to perform at this level in front of the home crowd. That is going to be big motivating factor for me.”

Beginning on October 15, Khade will participate in five events over three days — 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle, 50m and 100m butterfly. Over his last three outings, Khade has been consistently swimming faster and setting new records along the way. He has been training hard for this meet under coach Nihar Ameen and looks to be a prime contender for medals.

“At this stage, I can not predict anything as we have to see how good the opposition is. About 47 nations will be competing in swimming and the standard is going to be petty high.

“But Khade has trained well and is in the best possible shape. Swimming at home can be an advantage and we can certainly hope for some medals from him,” said Ameen. — Special Correspondent