Host nation India ended their campaign at the 10th Asian Age Group Championships in Bengaluru on a high as the team’s divers Palak Sharma and Siddharth Pradeshi won gold in their respective events. Their effort ensured India’s best ever medal haul at this prestigious event with a total of 64 medals (20 gold, 24 silver, 20 bronze).
Taking part in her first International competition, Palak Sharma impressed with a score of 162.70 in the 5m/7.5m platform diving to finish ahead of Sudirman Nur Nufiidah of Indonesia who scored 150.65 points to finish second and Villafor Jana Mary of Philippines who finished third with a score of 149.30. “I am extremely happy to win gold today and contribute to India’s medal tally. This has been my most memorable championships and my performance here only makes me more confident of doing well in the future and pursue diving as a career,” stated Palak Sharma who also has 2 silver medals in her kitty.
Meanwhile, Siddharth Pradeshi won India another gold medal in the 10m platform for open category men. He out-performed Iran’s Mojtaba Valipour and Qatar’s Shewaiter Mohammed Ahmed who were a no-match to Pradeshi. The Indian diver who hails from Maharashtra scored 379.00 while Valipour scored 273.75 and Ahmed scored 266.50 points. “I feel I could have done better in my other events. I am currently under the FINA scholarship and I am training in Kazan. I am working hard towards improving and my results here will only motivate me to do better,” stated Pradeshi.
In artistic swimming, Kazakstan dominated the proceedings with a total of 24 medals (12 gold, 7 silver and 5 bronze) while Japan won 11 medal (8 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze), China won 8 medals (2 gold, 6 silver), Uzbekistan won 5 medals (1 silver, 4 bronze), Singapore won 2 silver, 2 bronze while Hong Kong won 2 silver, 2 bronze and Thailand won 5 bronze medals.
Diving Results:
1m Spring Board (Group I Boys)
1. Yang Ling (CHN) (479.35)
2. Daoyi Long (CHN) (456.70)
3. Ahmad A H Qali (KUW) (347.60)
1m Spring Board (Group I Girls)
1. Zhang Rui (CHN) (361.95)
2. Liang Yixian (CHN) (359.70)
3. Kondo Hana (JPN) (349.40)
Platform (5m/7.5m) (Group III Boys)
1. Sugimoto Ruon (JPN) (320.20)
2. Jamshidi Mohammed (IRN) (238.00)
3. Sairen Indiver (IND) (237.00)
Platform (5m/7.5m) (Group III Girls)
1. Palak Sharma (IND) (162.70)
2. Sudirman Nur Nufiidah (IDN) (150.65)
3. Villafor Jana Mary (PHI) (149.30)
3m Spring Board (Group II Boys)
1. Yongxin Zhu (CHN) (492.35)
2. Zexiong Yao (CHN) (454.60)
3. Thitipoom Maskin (THA) (359.95)
3m Spring Board (Group II Girls)
1. Zhang Minjie (CHN) (365.90)
2. Zotova Yaroslavna (KZK) (282.05)
3. Raika Mochiduki (JPN) (274.95)
Platform (10m) (Open Category Men)
1. Siddharth Pardeshi (IND) (379.00)
2. Mojtaba Valipour (IRN) (273.75)
3. Shewaiter Mohammed Ahmed (QTR) (266.50)
Platform (10m) (Open Category Women)
1. Borova Yelizaveta (KZK) (200.40)
2. Putri Maulidina Kharisma (IDN) (129.65)
