Swimmer Shrungi wins top honour at Khelo India University Games

Panaji: Goa's leading swimmer Shrungi Bandekar has raised hopes of a good show at the National Games later this year after she won the best swimmer individual champion award in the women's category at the Khelo India University Games at Noida.
The 19-year-old Curchorem resident, representing Jain University, Bengaluru, won five gold and four silver medals.
She claimed gold medals in 200m backstroke, IM, 100m freestyle, 4x100 relay freestyle and 4x100m IM relay, while she finished second in 50m, 100m backstroke, 400m IM and 4x200m freestyle relay.
"I had a good preparation for the Khelo India event. My coach Bhushan Kumar conducted extensive training as we were aware that best swimmers from all India would feature in the event. I also had to prepare for my second-year examination. I am glad I did well," said Shrungi.
Usually, a swimming event is scheduled tightly with little rest for swimmers. However, Khelo India Games avoided unnecessary heats and had all finals, giving enough rest to the swimmers.
"It was not so taxing on us as taking part in the finals kept me fresh. I tried to focus on myself and didn't think about the competition. I tried to improve my timing," she said.
Shrungi has set her sights on the forthcoming Senior Nationals to be held in Hyderabad next month.
"I will face stiff competition at Hyderabad as it will be an open field. I will train hard and be prepared," said Shrungi.