India bags ninth gold at Asian Age Group Championships

The Indian team clocked 3:46.49 seconds to beat Thailand (3:48.89) and Hong Kong (3:53.99) in the 4x100m medley relay event at the Padukone-Dravid Centre of Sports Excellence.

Srihari Nataraj gave India a flying start with a 56.55 effort in backstroke.

The Indian men’s 4x100m medley relay team comprising Srihari Nataraj, Sajan Prakash, Likith S.P. and Virdhawal Khade won India’s ninth gold medal at the 10th Asian Age Group Swimming Championship here on Thursday.

The Indian team clocked 3:46.49 seconds to beat Thailand (3:48.89) and Hong Kong (3:53.99) respectively at the Padukone-Dravid Centre of Sports Excellence.

India withstood the challenge posed by Thailand and Hong Kong as they got off to a flying start thanks to Srihari Nataraj (56.55) in backstroke as he finished ahead of Hong Kong’s Lau Shiu Yue (57.72) and Thailand’s Kasipat Chograthin (58.41).

Sajan Prakash, diving in next for the butterfly dash, kept up India’s lead with a time of 54.50 seconds while Thailand’s Navaphat Wongcharoen clocked 54.50 seconds and Hong Kong’s Cheung Yau Ming (56.60).

Likith S.P., swimming breast stroke, was excellent as he extended the lead clocking fastest time of 1:02.47 while Thailand’s Nuttapong Ketin timed 1:03.69 and Hong Kong’s NG Yan Kin clocked 1:05.82 seconds.

Khade, who won gold in the 50m freestyle on Wednesday, ensured the first-place finish. He timed 53.00 seconds while Thailand’s Tarit Thongchumsin clocked 52.29 seconds and Hong Kong’s Fung Chung Ho 53.85 seconds.