Recent Visitors 2

DPS-Bopal’s Yaksh Patel Qualifies for National Aquatic Championships

The DPS Bopal student, Yaksh Patel Secured National Qualification Berth After Strong Showing at Gujarat State Meet

Ahmedabad swimmer Yaksh Patel has earned a place at the upcoming National Aquatic Championships after an impressive performance at the Gujarat State Aquatic Association Meet held from 26 to 28 June 2026.

The Grade X student of Delhi Public School-Bopal qualified for the national competition in the 200-metre backstroke after winning the gold medal in the event at the state meet. His result places him among Gujarat’s leading young backstroke swimmers in his age group and gives him the opportunity to represent the state on the national stage.

Yaksh Patel Qualifies for National Aquatic Championships

Yaksh collected five medals during the competition across individual and team events. Along with his gold medal in the 200m backstroke, he won silver in the 100m backstroke and was part of the team that secured silver in the 4x100m freestyle relay. He also claimed bronze medals in the 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly events.

Backstroke events are among the most technically demanding races in competitive swimming because they require athletes to maintain speed and rhythm while swimming on their backs without direct visual reference to the lane ahead. The 200m backstroke, in particular, tests endurance, pacing and technique over four lengths of a standard Olympic-size pool.

The Gujarat State Aquatic Association Meet serves as one of the state’s main pathways for swimmers aiming to reach national-level competition. Performances at the meet are closely watched by coaches and selectors as they identify athletes capable of competing against the country’s strongest swimmers.

Swimming has continued to grow in Gujarat over the past decade, with Ahmedabad producing several successful athletes who have represented India in international events. Among the state’s most recognised names are Olympian Maana Patel, a backstroke specialist from Ahmedabad, and international swimmer Anshul Kothari, who represented India at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.

Yaksh’s latest achievement also reflects his steady progress through the junior ranks of competitive swimming. School records show that he has previously competed in district, state and school-level tournaments, earning medals in backstroke and relay events and regularly qualifying for higher levels of competition.

Delhi Public School-Bopal, one of Ahmedabad’s established CBSE schools, has supported participation in competitive sports alongside academics and has seen students qualify for state and national events in swimming, tennis, badminton, yoga and other disciplines in recent years.

For young swimmers, qualification for the National Aquatic Championships represents an important milestone. National events bring together leading athletes from across India and often act as a stepping stone towards junior international competitions and future selection camps.

Yaksh will now begin preparations for the national competition, where he will compete against some of the country’s best swimmers in his category while representing Gujarat in the 200m backstroke.

His medal tally at the Gujarat State Aquatic Association Meet included:

• Gold medal in the 200m Backstroke
• Silver medal in the 100m Backstroke
• Silver medal in the 4x100m Freestyle Relay
• Bronze medal in the 50m Backstroke
• Bronze medal in the 50m Butterfly

The results mark another notable achievement for school swimming in Ahmedabad and add to Gujarat’s growing presence in competitive aquatic sports.