Star swimmer

Ruling the pool at the all-India level in the 400 m individual medley, one of the toughest competitive events, as well as the 400 m freestyle, 19-year-old Rehan Poncha pocketed golds in both events and set new national records at the 59th Senior National Aquatic Championship. On December 14, 2005 at Thrissur, Poncha’s superb swim with a timing of 4:40.32 sec in the individual medley saw him sink his own mark of 4:42.19 set in 2004. His timing of 4:9.18 sec in the 400 m freestyle also erased his own record of 4:10.95 set in 2004.

Rehan Poncha

Bangalore-based Poncha is part of the Karnataka swimming squad, the defending champions, who won a fine haul of medals this year as well. On the opening day of the nationals, Poncha had given his state a flying start with his gold medal and new meet record.

At the 4th Asian Age Group Swimming championship in Bangkok in August 2005, Poncha’s strong strokes saw him set a new Indian record in the 400 m individual medley, but it was not enough to fetch him a medal as he finished fourth. Poncha’s gallant effort in 4:39.40 sec saw him eclipse the previous national record of 4:42.57 set by Karnataka swimmer J. Abhijit which had stood since 1995.