Day 4 of swimming @ the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

Virdhawal Khade, Nihar Ameen (coach) and Sandeep Sejwal

The Water Cube witnessed new Indian National records being made by Virdhawal Khade, in the 100m Freestyle, and Sandeep Sejwal, in the 200m Breaststroke, on Day 4 of swimming at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

16-year-old teen sensation Virdhawal Khade was the first among the two to take the plunge. He swam an amazing 100m Freestyle clocking a time of 50.07sec which is faster than his previous best time, which was also the National record, of 50.49sec which he clocked at the World Youth Swimming Championships last month. He won his heat and finished 42/64 overall. The quality of the swim can be judged by the fact that:
• He would have won the gold medal at last month's World Youth Swimming Championships
• This time would also have got him a bronze medal at the 2006 Doha Asian Games.
• He finished as the third fastest Asian and the fastest among those his age or younger.

19-year-old Sandeep Sejwal was the next to race. Brimming with confidence after a good show in the 100m Breaststroke on the first day, where he improved by 1.39sec, he went on to cut almost three seconds in the 200m Breaststroke to stop the clock at 2:15.24sec. His previous best time, which was also the National record, was 2:18.23sec which he clocked at the Malaysia Open in May this year to qualify for the Olympic Games. He finished second in his heat and 36/52 overall. He ranked 5th fastest among the Asians.