Geetanjali Nagvekar did Goa and India proud as she clinched a gold in the Level D 800 metres at the 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games underway in Berlin. Earlier in the day, Nagvekar had put herself into contention for a medal by qualifying to the Level D 800 metres along with team-mate Asheef Malanur (Level B 800 metres).
Also coming up with strong performances are a handful of other Indian teammates as they pushed ahead for medals in the eight-day competition being held at various venues across Berlin.
Joining Malanur and Nagvekar was Indian athlete Soham Rajput, also in the Level C 800 metres final.
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The men’s 4×400m squad has also qualified for the finals, while Libin Mallika Rajakumar made it to the finals of the Level B 200 metres.
There was plenty of action in the pool as at least six swimmers forced their way into the finals of their respective events. Madhav Madan set his eyes on a double as he reached the Level A 25m breaststroke and the Level A 25m Freestyle. Not far behind him was teammate Dinesh Shanmugam in the Level B 50m Breaststroke, and Level A 25m Freestyle.
Another swimmer Abdul Rahman showed fine form while reaching two finals – Level B 50m Breaststroke, Level A 25m Freestyle, while Tinu Moncy made it to the Level A 25m Freestyle final.
There were a few commendable performances in the women’s section as well as Prathna made it to the Level 25m Freestyle final and Aleena Anthony powered her way into the Level B 50m Freestyle final.
“We are pleased with the way our athletes have been responding to challenges before them at this global meeting. We are definitely looking forward to some medals from our Goan athletes,” Victor R. Vaz, National Sports Director of Special Olympics Bharat, noted.
“Our athletes were fortunate to have a strong pre-competition training schedule. There are going to be jitters and butterflies in the stomach, but we expect our athletes to cope with this and return home victorious,” he added.
The fate of at least three swimmers will be known later on Tuesday as Aleena Anthony, Dinesh Shanmugam and Abdul Rahman were all scheduled to swim in the finals later.
The 13 Goan athletes in Team India are involved in Futsal (male), Athletics (male and female), Roller Skating (Female), Basketball (male and female), Judo (male and female), unified Volleyball (male and female) and Handball.
