Karnataka look to put up better show

The State swimmers were placed behind defending champions Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu at the Basavanagudi Aquatic Centre in Bangalore last year.

None of the states will have a clear advantage this time with the cream of last year’s crop having graduated to the Junior section (Group I and II). “We are better prepared this time. Many of the last year’s top swimmers have graduated to Junior level. So I think none of the teams will have the edge,” said Karnataka coach-cum-manager MS Bhushan.

Karnataka’s hopes rest with Damini K Gowda, who won four gold medals in the State meet and has been a consistent performer in the National age-group categories. The 12-year-old Damini will be competing in the 50M freestyle, 50 and 100 backstroke and 50 butterfly apart from the relays in Group III.

Besides Damini, Sanjeev R (Group III boys’ 50 and 100 free), S Siva (Group III boys’ 200 free, 200IM, 100 backstroke), Sri Hari (Group IV boys’ 100 free, 50 backstroke, 50 fly, 200IM), Shraddha S (Group III girls’ 200 free, 200 IM, 50 breaststroke) and S Thanuja (Group IV girls’ 50 and 100 free, 50 fly, 200IM) will be the medal prospects for the State.