13 vs 32: Super fun, says young Dhinidhi, after race with Vir

Panaji: “Dhinidhi, can my daughter take a photo with you?”

As evident from the enthusiastic parent’s request, Dhinidhi Desinghu was the cynosure of all eyes at the Campal swimming pool. Having won seven gold medals, it wasn’t a surprise, but the Karnataka swimmer is just 13 years old.

She stole the limelight on the concluding day when she held off a great challenge from her role model and India’s fastest male swimmer, 32-year-old Vidhawal Khade, in the 4x100m mixed medley to help Karnataka set the new meet record on the last event with a timing of 4:03.80 seconds.

The Karnataka team comprising Srihari Nataraj, Vidith S Shankar, Nina Venkatesh and Dhinidhi, chalked off a gigantic 7.28 seconds. Tamil Nadu had set the record of 4:11.08 seconds last year.

"I never turn away any request for photos and selfies,” Dhinidhi told TOI. “I am grateful that they have a liking for me. It is an honour. I have a dream now to compete at the Olympics. I was super excited to test my skills against Vir sir. It was fun to compete against him."

The young girl also broke the record of Shivani Kataria from Haryana in the women's 100m freestyle event by clocking 57.87 seconds.

Apart from the two gold medals on the concluding day, Dhinidhi took home gold in the women's 200m freestyle, 4x100 freestyle, 4x100 medley, 4x200m freestyle and mixed 4x100m freestyle, taking her total count to seven gold.

"I didn't think of medals. I participated in nine events, compared to last year when I just took part in two. I was disappointed at Rajkot. I think everything happens for a reason. It is a great achievement. Normally, people dream of one gold, I got seven, so can't complain," said Dhinidhi.

Dhinidhi was supposed to get ready for the Asian Age swimming championship to be held in the Philippines in December. However, the championship has been postponed.

"We had thought the National Games would be an ideal preparation for Dhinidhi. However, our focus was always to be prepared for everything. It is a good thing that we put Dhinidhi through a test here. She did fantastic," said her coach Madhu Kumar BM.