<p>They grew in the shadow of top swimmers like Rehan Poncha and Shikha Tandon but now lead Karnataka’s charge in swimming. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Arvind M and Malavika V have risen to be the champions in their chosen field and their performance at the National Games is a just result of their hard work.<br /><br />Talking on the sidelines of the felicitation ceremony organised by the Karnataka Swimming Association, an elated Arvind shared his emotions on being the only swimmer from the State to win a gold medal at Kerala. “It is a great feeling to be the only swimmer to win a gold an the Games,” he said.<br /><br />The 16-year-old Malavika too was satisfied with her show in the season gone by. “I believe I had a good season over all. A good show at the Senior Nationals and then few medals at the National Games, things are finally falling in place for me. <br /><br />“I was a bit stagnating last season, but this time, its been a different show. It is a good feeling to comeback and win few medals,” she added.<br /><br />While Arvind enjoyed his time at the National Games winning five medals, including a gold in the 400M individual medley, Malavika had to settle for four, which included two sliver and two bronze.<br /><br />Arvind also sounded certain about the responsibility he shoulders being State’s lead swimmer. “It is a great feeling to be the senior swimmer and taking the charge. Some talk about the pressure related to it, but I take it as my responsibility to mould the future of Karnataka swimming,” said the 18-year-old swimmer.<br /><br />With the 2016 Olympics not far away, the ace swimmers are aware of the importance the upcoming meets hold as it may be a platform for them to qualify for the sporting carnival in Rio.<br /><br />“This being the year for Olympic qualification, I am putting in lot of effort in cutting down my timing to better my chances to qualify for the 2016 Games in Rio. I hope I get opportunities to stake my claims for the Rio Games and that’s something I am working on,” said the VTU student.<br /><br /></p>
<p>They grew in the shadow of top swimmers like Rehan Poncha and Shikha Tandon but now lead Karnataka’s charge in swimming. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Arvind M and Malavika V have risen to be the champions in their chosen field and their performance at the National Games is a just result of their hard work.<br /><br />Talking on the sidelines of the felicitation ceremony organised by the Karnataka Swimming Association, an elated Arvind shared his emotions on being the only swimmer from the State to win a gold medal at Kerala. “It is a great feeling to be the only swimmer to win a gold an the Games,” he said.<br /><br />The 16-year-old Malavika too was satisfied with her show in the season gone by. “I believe I had a good season over all. A good show at the Senior Nationals and then few medals at the National Games, things are finally falling in place for me. <br /><br />“I was a bit stagnating last season, but this time, its been a different show. It is a good feeling to comeback and win few medals,” she added.<br /><br />While Arvind enjoyed his time at the National Games winning five medals, including a gold in the 400M individual medley, Malavika had to settle for four, which included two sliver and two bronze.<br /><br />Arvind also sounded certain about the responsibility he shoulders being State’s lead swimmer. “It is a great feeling to be the senior swimmer and taking the charge. Some talk about the pressure related to it, but I take it as my responsibility to mould the future of Karnataka swimming,” said the 18-year-old swimmer.<br /><br />With the 2016 Olympics not far away, the ace swimmers are aware of the importance the upcoming meets hold as it may be a platform for them to qualify for the sporting carnival in Rio.<br /><br />“This being the year for Olympic qualification, I am putting in lot of effort in cutting down my timing to better my chances to qualify for the 2016 Games in Rio. I hope I get opportunities to stake my claims for the Rio Games and that’s something I am working on,” said the VTU student.<br /><br /></p>
