The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishthan (BKSP) emerged champions in the Keya Cosmetics 24th National Age Group Swimming securing 45 gold, 35 silver and 14 bronze medals at the end of the three-day meet at the National Swimming Complex in Mirpur on Tuesday.

Bangladesh Ansar became runners-up with 36 gold, 25 silver and 23 bronze medals, while Alamgir Swimming Club of Rajshahi finished a distant third collecting 6 gold, 5 silver and 14 bronze.

BKSP swimmer Anik Islam emerged as the best swimmer in the meet securing 11 individual gold medals with three new national marks, one on each day.

Nikli Swimming Club of Kishoregani named as the most disciplined team in the age-group competition.

Anik Islam, competing in 18-20 years age-group, made his third and the day's lone record clinching the gold in the hot event -- 50m freestyle-clocking 35.70 seconds to better the old mark of 26.18 sec.

He also clinched two more gold medals on the third and last day (Tuesday) in the 400m freestyle clocking 4:53.76 and 200m individual medley in 2:23.10.

Earlier, Anik won eight gold medals on the first two days creating two new national marks in 400m individual medley with a timing of 5:09.16 and in 100m butterfly clocking 01:00.41.

His other gold hauls were in 200m freestyle, 200m butterfly, 100m backstroke, 1500m freestyle, 200m backstroke and 100m freestyle.

Muslima Khatoon of Alamgir Swimming Club of Rajshahi set up a new national record on the last day in the 200m backstroke for 15-17 years age group clocking 3:02.93 to better the old mark of 3:06.32, apart from the other record of Anik on the day.

With the day's two new national records, a total of seven new national marks were created in the three-day meet that concluded today.

Deputy Chief of Bangladesh Navy Rear Admiral Mustafizur Rahman was the chief guest at the closing function and distributed the prizes.

Senior Executive Director of meet sponsors Keya Cosmetics Alhaj Akkas Ali Pathan and Director General of BKSP Brig Gen Shawkat Hossain were special guests on the occasion.

Swimming Federation Vice Presidents Alhaj M Solaiman and Dr AKM Sultanul Aziz, and general secretary Commodore (retd) MS Kabir were present.