Proud moment for Malavika, Madhu in South Asian pool

It wasn’t her best performance but for Malavika V, winning the 800M freestyle gold at the 12th South Asian Games was certainly a proud moment in her career.

While the 17-year-old Delhi Public School student Malavika swept home with plenty to spare in the freestyle race, another Bengaluru based swimmer also enjoyed a successful day, –— the Thiruvananthapuram-born Madras Engineer Group havaldar PS Madhu surprising everyone with a superb swim to victory in the 100M back stroke event.

“It’s definitely a proud moment for me,” said Malavika who trains under Pradeep Kumar at the Basavangudi Aquatic Centre. “It’s a decent timing, not my best but I’m still very happy with my performance. I’m not in the best of shapes,” she said.

Malavika admitted she didn’t face much of a challenge.“With just five swimmers in the field, I knew I didn’t have to exert myself. The competition in this race is much tougher at the National championships. Having said that, an international gold is an international gold and I’m delighted to have won it. Considering my career has moved back and forth over the last couple of years, this is a welcome boost for me.”

Madhu, who moved base to Bengaluru in 2004 as a 13-year-old, joining the MEG’s Boys Sports Company, was delighted with his effort. “I’m feeling very good on winning the gold. My coaches worked very hard with me and the only way to repay them is by winning the gold. It’s a very proud moment for me.”