Mumbai: Mantra Mangesh Kurhe, a 16-year-old swimming sensation from Vashi, has made waves in the international arena by clinching a gold medal at the prestigious Oceanman Open Water Swimming competition held in Malaysia. A student of Father Agnel Junior College, Mantra’s performance not only brought pride to India but also stamped her name among the elite in global open water swimming.
Competing in the 2 km category for the 12 to 19 age group, Mantra clocked an impressive 36 minutes and 23 seconds, outperforming hundreds of seasoned swimmers from 37 countries. Her speed and stamina set her apart, earning her the distinction of not just winning gold in her age group, but also emerging as the fastest female swimmer among all age groups in the 2 km race.
This was Mantra’s international debut, and the occasion couldn’t have been more remarkable. Her performance has secured her a spot in the upcoming Oceanman World Championship in Dubai, setting the stage for more glory.
Mantra’s journey in swimming began at the tender age of four. Since then, she has amassed over 300 medals and 32 championship trophies at various competitive levels—district, state, and national. In a striking feat back in 2023, she swam 38 kilometers from Dharamtar to the Gateway of India in 7 hours and 51 minutes, earning her a place in both the Asia Book of Records and the India Book of Records.
She was also Maharashtra’s lone medallist at the 2024 Union Territory Beach Games held in Diu, underscoring her consistency and dominance in open water events.
Her recent triumph in Malaysia is a testament to her grit, years of disciplined training, and unwavering passion for swimming. With Dubai up next, all eyes will be on this young prodigy who continues to make her city—and country—proud.
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