Tura, July 5: In a remarkable feat, swimmers from West Garo Hills have won nine medals at the 19th Meghalaya State Swimming Championship in Shillong recently.
The success is significant keeping in view the absence of any professional coach for the competing team of West Garo Hills Swimming Association.
They finished the championship with one gold, three silver and five bronze medals, in what officials described as the district’s best-ever performance at the state meet.
It is also believed to be the first time a contingent from Garo Hills has returned with as many as nine medals from the championship.
The standout performer was Rakrak A. Sangma, who struck gold in the 4×50-metre Individual Medley Relay (Junior category).
He also claimed silver medals in the 50-metre and 100-metre Breaststroke events and added bronze medals in the 50-metre Butterfly, the 4×50-metre Medley Relay (Open) and the 4×50-metre Freestyle Relay (Junior).
Amran B. Marak contributed two bronze medals in the 400-metre Freestyle (Open) and the 4×50-metre Freestyle Relay.
Chachang B. Marak secured a silver in the 50-metre Breaststroke (Open) besides winning bronze in the 4×50-metre Freestyle Relay.
Salres G. Sangma added two bronze medals in the 4×50-metre Freestyle Relay (Open) and the 4×50-metre Freestyle Relay (Junior).
Association officials said the medal haul was particularly significant because the swimmers trained without the support of a qualified professional coach, unlike many of their rivals.
They described the performance as a milestone for swimming in Garo Hills and said it demonstrated the athletes’ determination, discipline and talent despite limited resources.
The Association expressed hope that the achievement would prompt greater investment in swimming infrastructure and professional coaching in the region, enabling young swimmers from Garo Hills to compete more consistently at higher levels.
