Things are looking up. There is hope for Karnataka as they break into what has been the traditional stronghold of Maharashtra. The girls Group III and Group IV Sub-junior individual swimming titles won by Karnataka’s Prathima Kollali and Prajwala S at the 24th Sub-junior aquatic Nationals in Margao recently prove a point -- that things could be changing, with two inspired swimmers raring to go.

PRATHIMA K
The Margao Nationals was a big leap ahead for Prathima’s swimming career. From getting no medals in the previous edition in Bangalore to winning the Group III individual title is certainly a huge achievement.

Her haul in Margao included three individual and one relay gold, apart from one individual silver. The icing on the cake was National records in the 100 and 200 metres freestyle events.

“It is nice to win medals and take the individual championship,” she said. “The rainy weather proved to be a slight problem but I am nevertheless happy with my performance.

“I could have got a better timing in the 50M freestyle event too, but that did not happen,” she added.

Winning the individual championship this year is indeed a good platform as she moves on to Group II next year. “It is good to finish as the individual champion as it will give me confidence for the season ahead,” said the trainee of the KC Reddy Swim Centre.

So, what does she think of the competition next year? “It will be tougher than Group III, no doubt. But I am ready for it,” said Prathima, a staunch admirer of Australian swimming legend Ian Thorpe.

“She may try to go for longer distance events like the 400M in Group II. Let us see how it goes,” added chief coach at KCR, Nihar Ameen, who began to coach her last year. Earlier, Prathima was with Jairaj but at KCR.
The seventh standard student of Presidency School in Nandini Layout has to put in extra effort because she misses classes or exams now and then. “My school is cooperative and I manage to make up for missed classes. It is tough but worth the effort,” she said.

Prathima has created a good platform for herself for next year. She will no doubt give it all she has and more.


PRAJWALA S
The Margao meet was a dream come true for Prajwala. What made it even more special was that it was her maiden appearance at a National championship. Perhaps, the full enormity of the feat is yet to sink in for this KCR trainee.

Prajwala looked neither perturbed by the other competitors, nor was she overawed by competition at the big stage. She just went about her business with utmost concentration. And the result was there for all to see – three individual and one relay gold, and two individual silver medals were hers as she sealed the individual championship, a feat she had achieved at the State championship in Group IV a couple of weeks ago.

“I am very happy because I exceeded my expectations. I was looking for records but the heavy rains affected my performance,” said a beaming Prajwala. “I am generally happy with my timings. However, I certainly would like to improve them.”

For someone who started swimming just three years ago in a summer camp, Prajwala has come pretty far. “I have always liked to play in water.

“That made me join the summer camp. Two years ago, I won my first medal in a non-medallist competition and that was when I realised I wanted to take up swimming more seriously,” said anotehr of Ameen’s trainees.
The fifth standard student of St Ann’s Primary School has a lot on her mind, having to juggle academics and the swimming routine. However, things are going rather well right now. “It is tough but I plan things out and it works out fine,” she said.

Coach Ameen feels Prajwala has a lot more to offer. “She is tough. That’s what I like about her. She needs to be groomed further,” he said.

A fired up Prajwala is determined not to rest on her minor laurels.