Murshidabad - Open Water Swimming Competition

On 5^th September Murshidabad Swimming Association (মুর্শিদাবাদ সু্ইমিং অ্যাসোসিয়েশন) organized the 67^th meet of open water swimming competition down the Bhagirathi river. The 81-kilometer competition began at 5 am from Jangipur Ahiron Barrage Ghat (জঙ্গিপুর আহিরণ ঘাট) [Location Map : 24°32'N 88°02'E] and ended at Berhampore Gorabazar Ghat (বহরমপুর গোরাবাজার ঘাট) [Location Map : 24°05'N 88°14'E] . In the 81-kilometer category 20 swimmers participated, among which one was female.

The organizers claimed that it is the world's longest open water swimming event which gives a platform to the upcoming swimmers, eyeing to cross various channels. The competition had a total prize money of Rs 2 lakh, while the winners prize of Rs 30,000 for 81-kilometer category.

The winner of the 81-kilometer category was Sayantan Sattik (সায়ন্তন সাত্ত্বিক), student of standard 11, Rishra Xavier's English School. He took 10 hours 57 minutes and 23 seconds to complete the distance. In the 2nd position was Debkumar Halder (দেবকুমার হালদার) of Berhampore. He took 11 hours 1 minute and 27 seconds, with a difference of only 4 minutes and 4 seconds from the 1^st postion. The 3^rd position was also occupied by Chandan Sarkar (চন্দন সরকার) also of Berhampore with timing of 11 hours 4 minutes and 1 second.

The 19-Kilometer category commenced from Jiaganj Sadar Ghat [Location Map : 24°14'N 88°15'E] at around 01:30 pm. In this category there were 42 male and 17 female competitors. In the 19-kilometer female category, Ratna Mondal (রত্না মন্ডল), student of class 8, Taldi Surabala Sikshayatan of Canning, 24 parganas, was the winner. This was her 2^nd consecutive win. She took 2 hours 19 minutes and 21 seconds. The 2^nd position was held by Priyanka Mondal (প্রিয়াঙ্কা মন্ডল) of Shyam Nagar, taking 2 hours 20 minutes and 51 seconds. In the 3^rd postion was Chilika Ray (চিলিকা রায়) also of Shyam Nagar. She took 2 hours 24 minutes and 7 seconds.

In the 19-kilometer male category Sanu Debnath (সানু দেবনাথ), student of 11 standard of Manmatha nath High School, Barrackpore, became 1^st, taking 2 hours 12 minutes and 25 seconds. The 2^nd position was held by Rubel Rana (রুবেল রানা) of Bangladesh Navy, taking 2 hours 16 minutes and 21 seconds. In the 3^rd postion was Palash Chowdhury (পলাশ চৌধুরী) a student of class 9 from Bangladesh. He took 2 hours 15 minutes and 13 seconds.