National swimming begins with new record

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The Prime Bank 25th National Swimming Championship began at Mirpur National Swimming Complex in the city Sunday with one national record created in the 12 events decided on the first day. Commerce Minister M Faruk Khan formally inaugurated the three-day meet as the chief guest in the afternoon. Deputy Managing Director of the meet's sponsors Prime Bank Limited Ahmed Kamal Khan was present as special guest, reports UNB. Navy swimming team comprising Mahfuzur Rahman, Rubel Rana, Jewel Ahmed and Nazrul Islam set the day's only national record in the men's 4x100 meter freestyle relay clocking 3:42.30 seconds to better the event's old mark of 3:43.72 seconds. The Army swimmers finished 2nd in the event with a timing of 3:51.85 while Pabna DSA became 3rd clocking 4:29.61. On completion of the first day's 12 events, Bangladesh Ansar top the medals list securing six gold and four silver, followed closely by Bangladesh Navy with five gold, three silver and one bronze while Bangladesh Army are a distant 3rd with one gold, three silver and four bronze medals. Sonia Akhter of Bangladesh Ansar emerged as the best swimmer on the first day securing three individual gold medals, followed by Dolly Akhter of Ansar and Rubel Rana of Navy, who bagged two gold medals each. A total of 335 swimmers, including 95 women, representing 40 teams are competing for 42 gold medals - 38 in swimming, three in diving and one in water polo. President of Bangladesh Swimming Federation and Navy chief Vice Admiral Zahiruddin Ahmed will be the chief guest at the concluding day's function at the same venue on Tuesday (Oct 25).