The Asian Age Group Championships (AAGC) is a prestigious event in the world of swimming, diving, and water polo. Held every two years, the championship brings together young athletes from various Asian countries to compete for titles and set records. The 10th edition of AAGC was held from September 24-29, 2019, in Bengaluru, India.
The 2019 AAGC saw the participation of over 1,100 athletes from 30 countries. The athletes, all aged between 12 and 18 years, competed in various categories and events. As always, there were some standout performers who made a lasting impression with their skills, determination, and grit. Here’s a look at some of the top athletes at the Asian Age Group Championships 2019.
Sajan Prakash (India)
Sajan Prakash is a name that needs no introduction to anyone familiar with Indian swimming. The 25-year-old from Kerala has been making waves in the national and international swimming scene for the past decade. At the 2019 AAGC, Sajan won four gold medals, including a clean sweep in the butterfly events (50m, 100m, and 200m). He also won a gold medal in the 200m freestyle event, setting a new championship record in the process.
Yu Hexin (China)
Yu Hexin is a rising star in Chinese swimming, having won multiple medals in various international events. At the 2019 AAGC, the 23-year-old swimmer was at his best, winning four gold medals and setting three new championship records. He won the 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly, and 100m butterfly events, as well as being part of the gold-winning Chinese team in the 4x100m freestyle relay.
Li Bingjie (China)
Li Bingjie has been a mainstay of Chinese swimming for a few years now and looks set to continue her dominance in the coming years. At the 2019 AAGC, the 17-year-old swimmer won three gold medals and set one new championship record. She won the 400m, 800m, and 1500m freestyle events, whilst finishing second in the 200m freestyle. Her timing in the 800m freestyle was particularly impressive, with a new championship record of 8:22.84.
Mohamed Samy (Egypt)
Mohamed Samy has been making waves in Egyptian swimming for some time now, and the 20-year-old swimmer once again proved his mettle at the 2019 AAGC. He won four gold medals, including an impressive win in the 200m individual medley. Samy also won the 100m and 200m backstroke events, as well as being part of the Egyptian team that won the gold medal in the 4x100m medley relay.
In conclusion, the 2019 Asian Age Group Championships in Bengaluru was a showcase of some of the finest young athletes in the world of swimming, diving, and water polo. The names mentioned above were just a few of the standout performers who made the event truly memorable. These athletes have set the bar high and are sure to be names to watch out for in the coming years.