Nat’l Swimming begins in Gopalganj, 3 records on 1st day

GOPALGANJ, Oct 20: The RMM Group 27th National Swimming, Diving and Water Polo Championship, began Monday at the newly constructed Gopalganj Swimming Pool and Gymnasium complex with three new national records on the first day.

Commodore S Irshad Ahmed inaugurated the four-day national swimming meet, for the first time being held outside the capital. DMP Commissioner Benzir Ahmed and RMM Group chairman Mohiuddin Ahmed Mahin were, among others, present.

Sonia Akhter Tumpa of Bangladesh Navy createed the meet's first record in women's 200-meter butterfly clocking 2:41.49 to better the old marks of 2:44.15, made by BKSP swimmer Romana Akhter in 2013.

Country's celebrated Navy swimmer Mahfuzur Rahman Sagar set up the 2nd record in the men's 200-meter freestyle with the timing of 1:59.13 to better own record of 2:00.56 in 2013.

Romana Akhter of Army created the day's another record in the women's 400-meter Individual Medley clocking 05:49.92 to better her own marks of 05:55.20, also in 2013.

After the eight events decided on the first day, Bangladesh Army top the list securing five gold, three silver and three bronze medals, Bangladesh Navy follow neck to neck with three gold, three silver and five bronzes.

Some 500 swimmers representing 65 teams -- districts, divisions, BKSP, universities, Education Board, Services, and Swimming Clubs -- are competing in the meet for the gold medals in 19 men's, 19 women's, three diving and one Water Polo events.