POKHARA: Sheila Devi Gurung bagged two gold medals in the opening day of

the third Machhapuchchhre Age-group and Open Swimming Championship here

at the Penguin Swimming Pool today.

The Kathmandu Valley School swimmer Sheila won the 25-metre backstroke gold in the U-10 girls’ section. Sheila swam the distance in 21.70 seconds ahead of Junchhang Lama (23.79) and Samin Serchan (29.53) in breastroke. In breaststroke, she came home in 22.01 seconds beating Sonira Bista (24.03) and Mahima Shrestha (26.44).

In the 11-12 age-group girls’ 50-metre breaststroke, Shristi Piya of Shuvatara won the gold medal, while Dawa Sherpa (54.55) and Dristi Piya (55.70) came second and third respectively.

Likewise, Jitzwelly Maharjan of LA won the girls’ 13-14 section breaststroke event in 49.75 seconds beating fellow schoolmate Kavita Thapa (51.15) and Shuvatara’s Tapashya Piya (58.47). Shuvatara dominated the girls’ 50m breaststroke event with Luniva Singh (48.50), Prasamsha Shrestha (52.10) and Rebika Kayastha (53.63) taking the top three spots.

In boys’ section, Little Angels’ swimmers completed the clean sweep in the 11-12 age category 50m breaststroke. Manish Chitrakar won the gold in 42.65 seconds ahead of Chiranjibi Shah (45.95) and Krisat Gurung (46.31).

In the U-10 boys’ 25-metre breaststroke, LA trio of Shishir Thapa (21.53), Sanke Gurung (22.81) and Robi Gurung (24.21) captured the

top three spots. Shuvatara dominated the boys’ 11-12 age group 50m butterfly event. Sirish Gurung won the gold in 35.61 seconds beating Tejan Bataju (45.20) and Lolimhang Limbu (49.68).

LA’s Kingjong Sherpa claimed the gold

medal in 13-14 age group 50m breaststroke in 42.16 seconds beating fellow schoolmate Kalindra Shahi (42.31) and

TN Shakya of Shuvatara (42.60).

In the boys’ 15-17 age group 50m breaststroke, Jayanta Prakash Gurung came first with the timing of 39.76 seconds, while Shuvatara duo Pranib Shrestha (46.84) and Sahil Shrestha (52.19) finished second and third.

The three-day championship, which has bee organised by Nepal Swimming Association, runs through Monday.