Saatvik Nayak Sujir Wins Gold at National Open Water Swimming Championship

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Jan 11, 2026: Saatvik Nayak Sujir of Mangaluru won his first gold medal at the National Open Water Swimming Championship, adding to his tally of medals for Karnataka.

In the men’s 7.5 km Group 2 event, held at Tannirbhavi Beach and organised by the Karnataka Swimming Association under the aegis of the Swimming Federation of India, Saatvik clinched the title after a close contest with fellow Karnataka swimmer Kishan S.V. Saatvik completed the race in 1 hour 51 minutes 6 seconds, finishing eight seconds ahead of Kishan.

Karnataka dominated the men’s 5 km open category, sweeping all three medals. Pawan Dhananjaya won gold, while Renukacharya and Dhyan Balakrishnan secured silver and bronze respectively. In the girls’ 3 km Group 4 event, Idika Bhatt of Bengaluru won gold and Devika M. of Mangaluru claimed silver, giving Karnataka the top two positions. The State also bagged silver and bronze in the boys’ 3 km Group 4 event and a bronze medal in the girls’ 5 km open category.

Saatvik, a student of St Aloysius College, Mangaluru, is training under Lokaraj at the Vion Swimming Centre. His father, Dr. Nagendra Nayak, said this was his son’s first appearance at a national open water swimming competition.