Dhital clinched three gold medals in different events of open category and three golds in age group events on Monday. She completed the 50 m butterfly in 34.75 seconds to break the previous record of 35.05 seconds set by Nayana Shakya during the YumYum National Swimming Championship in 2002.[break]
Dhital, who had also set a new national record in 100 m freestyle during the recently concluded 14th World Swimming Championship, received Rs 15,000 for her two national records.
Besides the 50 m butterfly, Dhital also won 100 m backstroke and 100 m freestyle in the open category on Monday. She clocked 1 minute 33.65 seconds in the backstroke event and 1 minute 21.22 seconds in freestyle. Shila Devi Gurung and Phurba Phuti Sherpa finished second and third respectively in 100 m backstroke, while Sonira Bista and Shreya´s younger sister Aditi claimed second and third positions in 100 m freestyle.
Dhital, one of the nominees for the Pulsar Popular Player of the Year in Nepal Sports Journalists Forum´s upcoming Pulsar Sports Award, won gold in 50 m butterfly, 50 m freestyle and 4x50 m freestyle relay in the 15-17 age group. Dhital was competing for Lincoln School in the relay.
Dhital finished second in 50 m breaststroke as Sonira Bista claimed the top position with a timing of 44.35 seconds. Anjali Syangbo also claimed a podium finish in the event.
In the men´s open section, Shailesh Rana won two gold medals. He clocked 33.78 seconds in 50 m breaststroke and 1 minute 3.65 seconds in 100 m freestyle to take his gold tally to two.
Pushpa Raj Shahi completed 100 m backstroke in 1 minute 17.03 seconds and Olympian Prasiddha Jung Shah won 50 m butterfly clocking 30.04 seconds.
Anamol Gandhi of Kendriya Vidyalaya won 50 m backstroke in the boys´ 13-14 age group, while Shila Devi Gurung of Kathmandu Valley School won gold in the same event of girls´ section. Likewise, Banin Shensha Shrestha (100 m breaststroke, boys´ 15-17 age group), Seunghwi Seo (50 m butterfly, boys´ 13-14 age group), Anjali Syangbo (50m butterfly, girls´ 13-14 age group), Jayant Prasad Gurung (50 m butterfly, boys´ 15-17 age group) won golds in their respective events.
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