Sai Swarup Swain added a precious jewel to the sporting crown of Odisha as he became the first male swimmer from the State to win a Junior National individual medal in 35 years. He achieved the historic feat with a bronze in boys Group-II 50m breaststroke on the opening day of the 51st Junior National Aquatic Championships at Naranpura Sports Complex in Ahmedabad, Gujarat today.

A cadet of Odisha-IIS Swimming High Performance Centre, Sai captured the bronze medal, clocking 32.95 seconds. Laitonjam Lanchenba (Manipur) and Arth Jain (Madhya Pradesh) won the gold and silver medals with timings of 31.84 and 32.42 seconds respectively.

Odisha swimming fraternity congratulated Sai for his glorious achievement and wished him greater success in future. “Very proud of Sai Swarup for winning a Junior National individual medal for Odisha in male category after three decades. Sai has set the standard for male swimmers in Odisha,’’ said Soma Mishra, working president of the Odisha State Swimming Association.

“Sai worked hard to balance academics and swimming. It was tough to carry on. We suggested him that he give up and focus on academics. But he chose to carry on with greater efforts and discipline. We are proud, Sai has justified his decision to pursue swimming,’’ said his parents, Subash Chandra and Runu Swain, both Police officers.