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The National games came to a colourful end with some wonderful performances on Saturday. The fortnight provided the perfect platform for athletes from all over the country and they made the most of it by setting several records in the process.Here are some of the best moments from the National Games:
#1 Sajan Prakash excels in the pool
Sajan Prakash took the pool by storm as he clinched six golds and two silver medals. Prakash also set four meet records along the way. The 21-year old was adjudged the best male athlete at the games for his commanding performance over the last fortnight.
#2 Dipa Karmakar lives up to her billing
She had huge expectations from Tripura the moment she landed in Kerala for the National Games. The bronze medallist at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games displayed wonderful grace and poise on her way to winning five gold medals at the showpiece event.
She ended up as the only medallist for Tripura at the games.
#3 Superb performance from debutant Aakanksha Vora
Aakanksha Vora was named the best female athlete for a rich haul of five golds and one silver medal at the games. The young swimmer caused an upset of beating experienced stars like Monique Gandhi and V. Malavika and set a new meet record in the 800 m freestyle event in a time of 9:15.30s.
#4 Mascot Ammu enters Limca book of records
National Games mascot Ammu, the Green hornbill entered the Limca Book of records thanks to the play Kalikkunna Kuttikalkkayi Bharatham Kathirikkunnu (India Awaits Children Who Play).
According to the Limca book, it is a play about a mascot that has been featured in most number of schools. The play encouraged children to take up sports along with academics.
#5 Anju Bobby George and P T Usha made their presence felt when athletics got underway in the second week at the National games. Young and upcoming athletes couldnt have asked for better guidance in the midst of these two Indian legends.
Anju Bobby George and P T Usha made their presence felt when athletics got underway in the second week at the National games. Young and upcoming athletes couldn’t have asked for better guidance in the midst of these two Indian legends.
#6 A closing ceremony to remember
Kerala bid adieu to the 35 th edition of the National games with a colorful closing ceremony. Actress Shobana enthralled everyone with her dance moves, while troups from across the country celebrated the rich diversity of India with their performances.
#7 Kerala adjudged the best state at the games
Despite finishing second in the medal tally, Kerala was declared the best state with a total haul of 162 medals which included 54 golds. The state athletes handled pressure extremely well to finish in a strong position at the end of what was 15 days of amazing sporting action.
