Apeksha Fernandes, the 13-year-old girl from IIT Bombay, stole the show by grabbing three golds – two of them being record-breaking efforts – as five individual records were re-written (all by girls) on the second day of the GAF-GMAAA Junior and Sub-junior Aquatic meet cum selection meet, sponsored by Glenmark Aquatic Foundation at Tata Swimming Pool, Chembur, here today.
Apeksha Fernandes
Apeksha triumphed in 200m butterfly stroke in 02:29.61 seconds, thus bettering her own last year’s timing of 02:32.60 secs. and followed it by winning the 200m individual medley in 02:32.53 secs , while eclipsing Kenisha Gupta’s 2017 record of 02:33.67 secs. She then added gold in the 50m breast stroke event as well in the girls Group II category.
Joining Apeksha in the record-breaking spree was Palak Dhami, of Glenmark Aquatic Foundation, who won the 100m backstroke in group II with a timing of 01:10.74 secs while improving upon 2015 Tejaswita Bhardwaj’s timing of 01:11.23 secs.
Apeksha Fernandes smiles displaying V sign during the on the second day of the GAF-GMAAA Junior and Sub-junior Aquatic meet cum selection meet.
In group I, Kareena Shankta (Forest Club) and Seeya Bijlani (Khar Gymkhana), clinched golds in their respective 50m breast stroke and 200m individual medley events. For Kareena, it was her second gold, having won the 100m breast stroke event on the opening day.
The record breakers were:
GIRLS (Gr I): 50m Breast Stroke: Kareena Shanka (Forest Club ) – 00:36.40 secs. (Old record – 00:37.85 secs.). 200m Individual medley: Seeya Bijlani (Khar Gym)- 02:34.39 secs. (Old record – 02:38.94 secs.
GIRLS (Gr II): 100m Back Stroke: Palak Dhami (GAF) – 01:10.74 secs. (Old record – 01:11.23 secs.). 200m Butterfly Stroke: Apeksha Fernandes (IIT, Bombay) – 02:29.61 secs. (Old record – 02:32.60 secs). 200m Individual medley: Apeksha Fernandes (IIT, Bombay) – 02:32.53 secs. (Old record – 02:33.67 secs).
Clock for Sunday
SWIMMING – 6.30 a.m. onwards – GMAAA age group-sum-selection meet, Tata Swimming Pool, Chembur.