The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The 22nd National Swimming Championship began Wednesday at the National Swimming Complex in Mirpur with two national records bettered on the first day, both in women's short distance swimming.

On completion of the day's eight events, BKSP dominates the medal table securing three gold and two silver. Bangladesh Navy followed closely with two gold, two silver and two bronze while Bangladesh Ansar remain at third position winning one gold, three silver and one bronze medal.

Famed BJMC swimmer Sabura Khatoon created the day's first record in the women's 50-meter backstroke with a timing of 35.56 seconds improving the previous mark of 35.97 seconds.

Laboni Akhter Chameli of Bangladesh Ansar won the event's silver while Rima Khatoon of BJMC took the bronze.

In the women's 50-meter freestyle, Afsana Talukder of BKSP made the day's second record clocking 30.21 seconds to better the old mark of 30.79 seconds.

Sonia Akhter, also from BKSP, secured the event's silver while Sonia Parveen of Rajshahi Division took the bronze.

Earlier, in the morning, LGRD Adviser Anwarul Iqbal formally inaugurated the four-day meet, organised by Bangladesh Swimming Federation and jointly sponsored by Keya Cosmetics Ltd and Mercantile Bank Ltd.

Managing Director of Mercantile Bank M Mujibur Rahman and senior executive of Keya Cosmetics Dewan Akkas Ali Pathan were present as special guests.

The LGRD Adviser witnessed few of the opening day's events and later distributed the prizes at a simple ceremony, chaired by Swimming Federation President and Navy Chief Vice Admiral Sarwar Jahan Nizam. Federation general secretary Commodore (retd) MS Kabir was also present.

Results of the day's events: -

50-meter backstroke (men's): 1st - Rubel Rana (Navy), 2nd - Munmun Ahmed (Navy), 3rd - Wasiul Islam (Army).

50-meter backstroke (women's): Ist - Sabura Khatoon (BJMC), 2nd Laboni Akhter Chameli (Ansar), 3rd - Rima Khatoon (BJMC).

200-meter butterfly (men's): Ist - Sujon Ali (Army), 2nd- Niamul Haque (Army), 3rd - Jewel Ahmed (Navy).

200-meter butterfly (women's): Ist - Sonia Akhter (BKSP), 2nd- Laboni Akhter Jui (Ansar), 3rd - Lovely Khatoon (Ansar).

400-meter individual medley (men's): Ist - Nazmul Haque (BKSP), 2nd - Rubel Rana (Navy), 3rd - Karar Samedul Islam (Navy).

400-meter individual medley (women's) : Ist - Lovely Akhter (Ansar), 2nd - Laboni Akhter Jui (Ansar), 3rd - Labonya (Jessore DSA).

50-meter freestyle (men's): Ist - Nazrul Islam (Navy), 2nd - Mahfuzur Rahman (BKSP), 3rd - Rezaul Karim (Army).

50-meter freestyle (women's): Ist - Afsana Talukder (BKSP), 2nd - Sonia Akhter (BKSP), 3rd - Sonia Parveen (Rajshahi Division)