Veteran Swimmer Virdhawal Khade announced his retirement from domestic competitions. The 32-year old’s decision comes soon after he clinched the gold medal at the National Games 2023 in Goa, where he set a new Games record.
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Virdhawal Khade represented Maharashtra at the 37th National Games. He won the gold medal in the 50m freestyle with a edging past Srihari Natraj with a timing of 22.82 seconds.
With that he broke his won record set at the National Games last year. In the last edition at Gujarat, Khade created a new record with a timing of 23.00 seconds.
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“Feels like life has come to a full circle”
“What is so special about this medal is that I won my first national medal back in 2001 in Goa. Today it feels like life has come full circle with the gold medal at my last National again in Goa,” he said.
“This was my last event in India. You might see me again as a coach someday. But this was my last competitive race here for sure,” added Khade confirming his retirement.
In 2008, Virdhawal Khade became the youngest Indian Swimmer to qualify for the Olympics at the age of 17. He then went on to end India’s 24-year drought for a medal in Swimming at the 2010 Asian Games. Khade bagged the bronze medal in the continental event.
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