Young Swimmers Showcase Skills at ‘Aqua Velocity’ CompetitionChandigarh, September 27, 2026

Young swimmers showcased their talent, confidence and competitive spirit at ‘Aqua Velocity’, a swimming competition organised by Built For Speed NGO at the All Weather Swimming Pool, Sector 23, Chandigarh, on Sunday.
The event brought together young schoolchildren across different age categories and witnessed enthusiastic participation, with parents cheering the budding swimmers from the sidelines.
Aqua Velocity was organised with the objective of encouraging participation, confidence and competence in swimming and providing children with a positive, encouraging and well-structured platform to experience competitive sport at an early age.
The competition was attended by Dr. Rakesh Malik, Director, Sports and Physical Education, Panjab University; Dr. Mahender Singh, Joint Director, Sports Department, UT Chandigarh; Paramjit Singh, Senior Swimming Coach, UT Chandigarh; and Chahat Arora, swimming coach and Maharaja Ranjit Singh Awardee, Punjab and Sharanpreet Singh, swimming coach and incharge of Sector 23 pool.
Speaking on the occasion, Anish Zakhmi, General Secretary, Built For Speed NGO, said the organisation’s vision extends beyond organising individual sporting events.
“Our long-term objective is to identify and support promising and committed young athletes. We want to move beyond short-term participation and create a system where children receive appropriate support at different stages of their sporting journey — from discovering an interest in sport and developing fundamental skills to progressing towards competitive performance,” he said.
He added that competitions such as Aqua Velocity can help children overcome hesitation, understand healthy competition and develop discipline and sportsmanship while enjoying the experience of participating in organised sport.
Built For Speed NGO plans to expand the initiative by organising similar competitions in other disciplines, including athletics and lawn tennis, with the larger objective of nurturing sporting talent and promoting a culture of excellence, participation and sportsmanship across the Tricity region.
The organisation also aims to create more opportunities for young athletes to test their abilities in a supportive competitive environment and, over time, help talented and dedicated children progress to higher levels of sport.
Winners: Divyana Bhandari won the Girls U-17 50m Backstroke with a timing of 42.63 seconds, while Aditya Karakoti topped the Boys U-14 50m Butterfly in 31.33 seconds. Aaynee Singla secured first place in the Girls U-12 25m Butterfly with a timing of 22.93 seconds. In the Boys U-10 25m Freestyle, Gursanjam Maan finished first in 17.12 seconds, while Elawarbir Singh Gill won the Boys U-8 25m Freestyle in 22.11 seconds. Arnika Katoch emerged winner in the Girls U-8 25m Freestyle, clocking 21.00 seconds.
Among the other podium finishers, Gunroop Kaur (55.87 sec) and Salamatt Brar (01:06.42 min) secured second and third positions respectively in the Girls U-17 50m Backstroke. Nimish Sharma (32.50 sec) and Aryan Deodhar (34.73 sec) finished second and third respectively in the Boys U-14 50m Butterfly.
In the Girls U-12 25m Butterfly, Yaavi Shah (23.15 sec) finished second and Anahita Chauhan (23.79 sec) third. Ayaan Bishnoi (18.46 sec) and Piyush (18.53 sec) secured second and third positions respectively in the Boys U-10 25m Freestyle.
Arhaan Singh (23.12 sec) and Karambir Singh (23.71 sec) finished second and third respectively in the Boys U-8 25m Freestyle, while Mira Gupta (21.86 sec) and Saira (24.10 sec) secured second and third positions respectively in the Girls U-8 25m Freestyle.

Girls – U-17 (50 m Backstroke)

1. Divyana Bhandari — 42.63 sec — 1st
2. Gunroop Kaur — 55.87 sec — 2nd
3. Salamatt Brar — 01:06.42 min — 3rd

Boys – U-14 (50 m Butterfly)

1. Aditya Karakoti— 31.33 sec — 1st
2. Nimish Sharma — 32.50 sec — 2nd
3. Aryan Deodhar — 34.73 sec — 3rd

Girls – U-12 (25 m Butterfly)

1. Aaynee Singla — 22.93 sec — 1st
2. Yaavi Shah — 23.15 sec — 2nd
3. Anahita Chauhan — 23.79 sec — 3rd

Boys – U-10 (25 m Freestyle)

1. Gursanjam Maan — 17.12 sec — 1st
2. Ayaan Bishnoi — 18.46 sec — 2nd
3. Piyush — 18.53 sec — 3rd

Boys – U-8 (25 m Freestyle)

1. Elawarbir Singh Gill — 22.11 sec — 1st
2. Arhaan Singh — 23.12 sec — 2nd
3. Karambir Singh — 23.71 sec — 3rd

Girls – U-8 (25 m Freestyle)

1. Arnika Katoch — 21.00 sec — 1st
2. Mira Gupta — 21.86 sec — 2nd
3. Saira — 24.10 sec — 3rd