Udaipur, May 2, 2025 - At the 35th National Kayaking-Canoeing, 13th Dragon Boat and 18th Para Canoe National Championship (Junior and Sub-Junior categories) held at Lower Lake in Bhopal, athletes from Udaipur represented the State and displayed outstanding performances. The competition saw participation of 1,300 athletes from across the country.

In the Sub-Junior girls’ category, Shagun Kumawat of Udaipur won a gold medal in Kayak-1 (200 metres) and silver medals in Kayak-1 (500 metres) and Kayak-2 (500 metres), the latter along with Mansvi Sukhwal.

In the Para Canoe category, Shabana Khan brought pride to the State by winning a gold medal. In the Boys category, the duo of Rudra Pratap Singh Chauhan and Harsh Kumar Sharma secured a silver medal in Kayak-2 (1000 metres).

For the first time, Rajasthan’s Dragon Boat team participated in the Junior category and won a silver medal in the 2000-metre Mixed event. The team consisted of 16 athletes trained by coach Nishchay Singh Chauhan at the water training centre located at Fateh Sagar in Udaipur.

Upon returning to Udaipur, the athletes received a grand welcome. The victory ceremony was graced by Lok Sabha MP (Member of Parliament) Manna Lal Rawat and Rajya Sabha MP Chunnilal Garasiya as Chief Guests. Both representatives announced plans to develop Udaipur as a world-class water sports hub.

MP Rawat assured the provision of a rescue boat, while Garasiya pledged to personally fund new kayak boats worth Rs 10 to Rs 15 lakhs.

Dileep Singh Chauhan, Chairman of Indian Dragon Boat Association, praised Rajasthan’s athletes, saying that despite limited resources, their performance was exceptional. He also announced that Udaipur’s Fateh Sagar will host the Senior National Dragon Boat Championship in December 2025.

The ceremony was attended by Chandragupt Singh Chauhan of Rajasthan Kayaking Association, Stand-Up Paddling Chairman Tushar Mehta, Canoe Sprint Chairman Piyush Kachhawa, team manager Tanishq Patwa and other guests.