Who won gold at the Rohtak National Swimming Championship?
Arjun Singh from Haryana won gold in the Men’s 200m Freestyle, setting a new national record at the 47th National Swimming Championship held at Haryana Regional Sports Authority Stadium, Rohtak from 1-15 . This historic victory featured 500+ swimmers from 28 states and 8 union territories, making it India’s most competitive swimming event this year.
Arjun Singh: Profile of a Champion
Race Analysis: Arjun’s 200m Freestyle victory showcased tactical brilliance. His first 100m (53.2s) was deliberately conservative, allowing Rajasthan’s Vikram Singh to lead by 0.8s. Arjun unleashed his signature negative-split, closing in 55.12s (3.2s faster than first 100m) to win by 0.8s and shatter the previous national record (1:48.89) by 0.57s. His stroke count remained consistent at 32 strokes per lap, demonstrating exceptional efficiency.
Championship Records Broken
- Men’s 200m Freestyle: Arjun Singh (1:48.32) – Previous: 1:48.89 (2023)
- Men’s 1500m Freestyle: Srikant Chinnaswamy (15:32.18) – Previous: 15:35.42 (2022)
- Women’s 50m Freestyle: Anu Raj (26.18s) – Previous: 26.31s (2023)
Venue & Facilities
The Haryana Regional Sports Authority Stadium featured:
- Olympic-sized 50m pool (10 lanes)
- Electronic timing system (Omega)
- Temporary seating for 3,000 spectators
- Underwater cameras for stroke analysis
- Temperature-controlled water (27°C)
Historical Context
This marks Rohtak’s first time hosting the National Swimming Championship since 2015. Haryana last produced a men’s 200m Freestyle champion in 2009 (Virender Singh). Arjun’s victory signals a resurgence for Haryana swimming, with the state securing 7 medals total (3 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze).
Pro Tips for Aspiring Swimmers
- Master Negative Splits: Train to complete the second half of races faster than the first – crucial for 200m+ events.
- Perfect Underwater Phases: Limit breathing in the first 15m off starts/turns to maximize speed.
- Stroke Count Consistency: Maintain identical stroke counts per lap to conserve energy.
- Race-Specific Training: Simulate championship conditions in practice – full suits, electronic timing, crowded lanes.
FAQ
Q: How old is Arjun Singh?
A: Arjun is 22 years old and trains at the Haryana Regional Sports Academy under coach Rajesh Kumar.
Q: When is the next National Swimming Championship?
A: The 48th National Swimming Championship is scheduled for November in Guwahati, Assam.
Q: What was the previous national record for men’s 200m freestyle?
A: The previous record was 1:48.89 set in 2023. Arjun broke it by 0.57 seconds with his time of 1:48.32.
Q: How many events were contested at Rohtak?
A: 21 events total – 19 men’s events and 2 women’s sprints.
Q: Which state won the most medals?
A: Karnataka topped the medal table with 8 medals (3 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze), followed by Haryana (7 medals) and Tamil Nadu (6 medals).
