Swimming
Six-year old Reyansh Khamkar swims his way into history books
Reyansh became the youngest swimmer to complete a challenging 15km stretch in the sea.
Representative photo
Six-years-old Reyansh Khamkar from Thane has etched his name in history by becoming the youngest swimmer to complete a challenging 15km stretch in the sea.
The youngster navigated from Malpe Jetty to Waghotan Jetty in Vijaydurg, Maharashtra in just three hours, garnering recognition from the India Book of Records for his show of valour and swimming skills.
Reyansh, who trains under coach Kailash Akhade at Starfish Sports Foundation, came into the national limelight just a few days after 52-year-old Goli Shyamala of Andhra Pradesh conquered 150km journey in the Bay of Bengal in an age defying feat.
By swimming in the Arabian Sea, Reyansh earned the accolades of from officials and institutions across the country.
Minister for Cultural Affairs and Information Technology of Maharashtra, A. Ashish Shelar, President of Thane District Amateur Swimming Association, Adv. Niranjan Davkhare, and Vice President of the Maharashtra State Amateur Swimming Association, Rajesh More, heaped praise on the youngster.
Reyansh's school, Saraswati English Medium School in Naupada, Thane, also appreciated his achievement.
National and international accolades
The son of Sanika and Deepak Khamkar won multiple medals in various competitions, including the prestigious state-level swimming event held in Thane, where he won the gold medal in the 25-metre butterfly with fins and a bronze medal in the 50-metre freestyle with fins.
Reyansh also shone in the tri-state swimming competition of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Goa, held in Kolhapur in July 2024, where he won a gold medal in the 50-metre backstroke.
He also competed in the Asian Open Schools Swimming Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, last August.
Representing India as one of 15 swimmers selected by the Maharashtra Aquatic Association, Reyansh won a silver medal in the 25m freestyle kickboard (under 6 age group) and bronze medals in the 25m freestyle and 50m breaststroke. He also contributed to a silver medal win in the 200m freestyle relay.
Maintaining consistency, he won multiple medals at the 4th Maharashtra State Fin Swimming Championship last September. He won gold in the 50m monofin surface swimming, gold in the 100m bifin mixed relay, and silver in the 50m bifin swimming.
