Khade credits coach Ameen for success

Virdhawal finished third in the 50M butterfly to end India’s 24-year medal drought in Asian Games swimming in Guangzhou last month.

“Without my coach (Nihar Ameen) this wouldn’t have been possible. It is his medal,” Virdhawal said during a felicitation function organised by his club Dolphin Swim Team (DST) on Saturday.

Virdhawal received a memento from DST head coach Ameen at the function attended by the Khade family, DST swimmers, Karnataka Swimming Association officials, National coach Pradeep Kumar and special invitees.

“When I won the bronze I didn’t realize that it was a big achievement. For me winning gold was important and so I was upset. Later I came to know that it was our first medal after 24 years and that made me believe that a bronze is also really good at least for the time being,” Virdhawal said.

Ameen urged other swimmers to believe in their ability just as Virdhawal did at the Asian Games.

“Virdhawal has shown we can win medals in major competitions. I call upon all the swimmers to believe in their ability so that they can also win medals,” Ameen said.
DST also felicitated breast-stroker Sandeep Sejwal for his feats in international meets and para sport swimmer Prashanth Karmakar, who won the 50M freestyle (S9 category) bronze in the Commonwealth Games. KSA president Neelkant Rao Jagdale and secretary T D Vijayaraghavan presented a memento to Virdhawal.