Puneet bags 8 medals in World Police Games

Deepankar Sharda

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 28

For 35-year-old Puneet Rana there is no stopping whenever it comes to bag laurels in swimming. The Haryana Police swimmer claimed eight medals in the recently concluded World Police Swimming Games in Chengdu (China). 

Rana bagged one gold medal each in the 50m and 100mbreaststroke events, one silver medal in 50m freestyle and one bronze in butterfly event. In four different relay events, he won two gold medals, one silver medal and one bronze medal to complete his eight medals tally. 

This is not the first time that he has won a rich haul of medals. In the two previous editions of the World Police Games, he won as many 12 medals in different event. Rana, alumni of Punjab Engineering College (PEC) and Panjab University, is training under Coach Gurcharan Singh for the last 19 years

 “I am happy after bagging a rich haul of medals this year. It was a tough competition as the host team swimmers were extremely prepared for this championship," said Rana. 

Rana joined the ranks of Haryana Police in 2009. Earlier, after completing his MBE from Panjab University, he had worked in Delhi for two years. He is a meet record holder in the All India Inter-university Swimming Championships for seven consecutive years in the 50m and 100m breaststroke events, besides being a 2004 national record holder in the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke events.

“I have won over 100 medals in my career of 19 years. While working in Delhi, I was out of touch with swimming for two years. It took me some time to regain my strength and now I don't want to give a break,” added Rana. He also stressed on the need of organising more tournaments, so that the budding swimmers build the ability to perform amid a tough competition. 

"Training is really important but participating in various championships is a must thing for a swimmer. In Chandigarh, we faced lack of championships which is pushing swimmers to opt for other states," added Rana. 

Meanwhile, Gurcharan Singh congratulated his ward for achieving the feat. Earlier, three swimmers from the same centre were selected to participate in the 30th Summer Universaide (World University Games), held in Napoli, Italy, from July 3 to 14 earlier this year.