West Bengal has scripted a historic chapter in Indian aquatic sports, emerging as the undisputed overall champion at the 5th National Finswimming Championship 2025. The landmark victory was achieved at the International Swimming Pool in Yemmekere, Mangaluru, where Bengal's dominance set a new benchmark for the sport in the country.
A Medal Tally for the History Books
The West Bengal contingent delivered a performance of sheer supremacy, amassing a staggering total of 568 points to seal the championship title. Their medal haul was nothing short of extraordinary, with the team clinching 165 medals across various events and age categories. This monumental collection included 61 gold, 59 silver, and 45 bronze medals, showcasing unparalleled depth and talent.
Karnataka put up a strong fight to finish as the runners-up with 248 points, while Uttar Pradesh secured the third position on the podium with 78 points. The championship, a key event for underwater sports in India, was organized by the Underwater Sports Federation of India (USFI) in association with the Physical Education Foundation of India (PEFI) and the Karnataka Finswimming Association. The event ran from December 19 to December 22, 2025.
Rising Stars and Seasoned Champions Shine
Behind the team's colossal success were several breathtaking individual performances that lit up the pool in Mangaluru. The Bengal squad exhibited strength across all age groups, from juniors to masters.
In the Junior ‘C' category, Ronit Das proved to be a powerhouse, securing four gold medals and contributing a crucial 20 points to the state's tally. His female counterpart, Sampriya Kundu, mirrored this feat by dominating the Junior ‘C' women's category with four gold medals of her own, announcing herself as a formidable future star of Indian finswimming.
The senior categories witnessed similar excellence. Aheli Saha showcased her class in the Senior ‘A' women's category, clinching four gold medals to cement her status as one of the championship's most successful senior swimmers. The masters category was owned by Ritu Banerjee, who delivered a stellar performance to win four gold medals in the Master ‘V0' group.
Further highlighting the state's rich talent pipeline, Srinjan Nath impressed in the Junior ‘D' category with three gold and one silver medal. Angshuman Nag added to the gold rush with two gold and two silver medals in the Junior ‘E' category.
A Testament to Systematic Development
West Bengal's triumph was not a flash in the pan but the result of a robust sporting ecosystem. The swimmers excelled across a wide spectrum of disciplines, including surface, bi-fins, apnea, and relay events. This comprehensive success points to a strong grassroots structure, a well-established coaching network, and a sustained athlete development program within the state.
Officials from the Underwater Sports Federation of India (USFI) were full of praise for Bengal's achievement. They highlighted the team's consistency and discipline, describing their five-time consecutive championship victory as a landmark moment that sets a new standard for finswimming in India. This historic win in Mangaluru underscores West Bengal's growing dominance in the sport and promises an exciting future for its athletes on the national and potentially international stage.
