8th Raktherm Underwater Sports Championship Concludes at Nigeen Lake with Over 350 Swimmers
The 8th Raktherm Underwater Sports Championship has concluded successfully at the picturesque Water Sports Centre, Nigeen Lake, Srinagar — bringing together more than 350 swimmers from across Jammu & Kashmir for a thrilling showcase of underwater sports and competitive finswimming talent. Athletes competed across a full range of short- and long-distance events, spanning boys', girls', junior, and senior categories.
The championship was jointly organised by the Swim N Survival Society Kashmir (SSSK) in collaboration with Underwater Sports J&K (USAJK), and conducted under the supervision of the Underwater Sports Association India (USAI) — India's official CMAS-affiliated national body for finswimming and underwater sports. Once again, Nigeen Lake proved to be an outstanding venue for grassroots underwater sports India competition, drawing energetic participation from swimmers, coaches, and families across the Kashmir valley.
Outstanding Performances at the Championship
The 8th Raktherm Championship delivered some truly memorable performances, with young finswimming talent from across the region stepping up on the big stage:
- Momin Mushtaq secured 1st place in the 100m Bi-Fin event, delivering a standout display of speed and technique
- Zaid Bin Riyaz, representing The Legends School of Education, claimed an impressive 2nd place in the same category
- Musa Shakeel, representing RP School, rounded out the podium with a 3rd place finish
- Zainab Bin Riyaz claimed 1st place in the 50m event, a strong result in one of the championship's most closely contested sprint categories
- Ateeb Abdullah topped the Sub-Junior 100m category, signalling exciting things ahead for the next generation of Kashmir's underwater sports talent
These results reflect the growing strength and depth of competitive finswimming in Jammu & Kashmir, with athletes from multiple schools and training centres pushing each other to new personal bests.
Award of Excellence
A special highlight of the championship was the presentation of the prestigious Syed Shahid Zade Award of Excellence, given in recognition of truly outstanding performance. This year's award was presented to Mohammad of The Legends School of Education, whose performance throughout the championship stood out as a shining example of dedication and sporting excellence.
Celebrating The Legends School of Education
One name that stood out prominently at this year's championship was The Legends School of Education, whose swimmers delivered standout performances across multiple categories — including a podium finish from Zaid Bin Riyaz and the prestigious Syed Shahid Zade Award of Excellence claimed by Mohammad. These results are a strong reflection of the school's growing commitment to nurturing competitive underwater sports talent alongside academic excellence.
Much of this success is owed to the dedicated work of the school's sports coaching team — Mr. Villayat Hussain, Mr. Noor Ahsan ul Haq, Mr. Musaib and Miss Shafia — whose guidance and mentorship have played a vital role in preparing these young swimmers for high-level competition. Their commitment to structured training, technical development, and nurturing young talent is exactly the kind of grassroots contribution that continues to strengthen finswimming and underwater sports across India. USAI congratulates the entire coaching team at The Legends School of Education for their outstanding contribution to this year's championship.
A Grand Occasion, Graced by Distinguished Guests
The championship's prize distribution ceremony was graced by Mr. Mehmood Shah, Managing Director, KPDCL, who attended as the Chief Guest. Mr. Shah distributed prizes among the winners and warmly congratulated all participating swimmers on their remarkable performances throughout the event, praising the spirit and sportsmanship on display at Nigeen Lake.
The Road to Federation Cup 2026
In an exciting development for the region's young athletes, all position holders from the 8th Raktherm Underwater Sports Championship will be selected to compete at the upcoming Federation Cup 2026 — giving them a valuable opportunity to represent Jammu & Kashmir and showcase their talent at the national level. For many of these young swimmers, this championship marks the first step on a much bigger journey through India's competitive finswimming pathway.
Building the Future of Underwater Sports in Jammu & Kashmir
Events like the Raktherm Championship play a crucial role in strengthening the grassroots foundation of underwater sports India — identifying talent early, providing a genuine competitive pathway, and connecting young swimmers with the structured training and national opportunities offered through USAI, USAJK, and affiliated bodies like SSSK.
The championship's continued success — now in its 8th edition — is a testament to the tireless work of everyone involved: the organising committee, coaches, officials, volunteers, and of course, the parents who support young swimmers on their journey.
A Word of Thanks
The organisers extend heartfelt congratulations to all the swimmers, coaches, officials, and volunteers who came together to make the 8th Raktherm Underwater Sports Championship a resounding success. Special appreciation goes to Mr. Riyaz Wani (Member, USAI & Water Sports Expert), Mr. Yasir Makdoomi (Secretary, USAJK), Zahid Iqbal, and Mr. Shakeel Shah (President, SSSK), whose leadership and dedication continue to drive the growth of finswimming and underwater sports in Jammu & Kashmir.
Stay Connected
For more updates on championships, athlete results, and upcoming events across underwater sports India, keep visiting underwatersportsindia.com — the official home of finswimming and underwater sports in India.
