Richa, Akbar continue to dominate

Young swimmer Richa Mishra of Police bagged her seventh individual gold medal after creating a new national record in the women's 200 metres breaststroke on the fourth day of the 55th National Aquatic championships in Calcutta on Wednesday.

Akbar Ali Mir of Railways picked up two gold medals to take his tally to seven, including two from relay events, on a day which saw just one national record fall by the wayside at the Subhas Sarovar pool.

The 16-year-old Richa timed 02.49:88 seconds in the women's 200 metres breaststroke, erasing Sajini Shetty's 1994 mark of 02.51:55 seconds.

Local hero Akbar Ali Mir, who has occupied centrestage alongwith Richa in the championship so far, maintained his lead right through to win the gold in the men's 200 metres individual medley, clocking 02.14:31 seconds.

Akbar then teamed up with his other Railways colleagues -- Veeramani, K Suresh Kumar and veteran Sebastian Xavier -- to clinch the coveted gold medal in the men's 4x100 metres medley relay. They timed 04.08:03 seconds.

The strong Railways contingent ruled the roost for the second successive day, claiming four of the eight gold medals on offer while Police, who had dominated the first two days of competition, managed just one gold. Karnataka won two gold while Services took one.