Published: June 6, 2026 at 5:45 pm
Even as the monsoon is all set to lash the state, in a spectacular display of sailing prowess, host state Telangana completely dominated the 17th Monsoon Regatta, sweeping a historic haul of 15 medals, including four golds. The final day of racing at the picturesque Hussain Sagar Lake witnessed intense, nail-biting finishes as three of the five sailing series went down to the wire in the final race.
The undisputed breakout star of the regatta was young prodigy Rameeza Bhanu of Rainbow Homes. Having joined the Yacht Club of Hyderabad (YCH) just two years ago, Rameeza stunned the fleet by coming from behind to clinch the coveted gold medal in the Under-16 girls’ race and finish an impressive fourth place overall.
Rameeza solidifies rivalry with Shringari
Rameeza’s victory solidifies a fierce, ongoing rivalry with Shringari Roy of the Secunderabad Club. While the two have traded gold and silver medals across multiple national regattas, Rameeza closed this championship a healthy nine points ahead of Shringari, who finished fifth overall. Both girls have officially been selected to represent India at the upcoming World Championships in Morocco at the end of the month.
Meanwhile, reigning National champion Ravikumar Banneoulu delivered an expected masterclass. By winning both races on the final day, Ravikumar captured both the prestigious Monsoon Regatta Trophy and the S H Babu Memorial Trophy for top performance without discarding a single race. This rare double-trophy feat was last accomplished in 2021 by international sailor Preethi Kongara, also of the Yacht Club of Hyderabad. Ravikumar was followed closely by teammates Narasimha Vutla and Mani Nilakonda, who secured second and third positions overall.
Badrinath Nirudu and Rishwita Sunchankota won the Under-18 International mixed class event of the 17th Monsoon Regatta at the Hussain Sagar in Hyderabad on Saturday
In the Under-18 International 420 mixed class, Badrinath Nirudu and Rishwitha Sunchanakota (MJPT) emerged victorious. Tied at the top with archrivals Chandralekha and Dhanush after nine races, the duo won the trophy by a whisker in a dramatic 10th race after Chandra and Dhanush were penalised by the International Jury.
Indian Navy maintains stronghold
In the Laser classes, the Indian Navy maintained its stronghold, with Preet Siwal and Katyayani Kaushik winning golds in the boys’ and girls’ categories, respectively.
“A haul of 15 medals and four golds is a humongous achievement for a landlocked state like Telangana,” said Suheim Sheikh, chief coach and mentor at the Yacht Club of Hyderabad. “It is thanks to the unique conditions of Hussain Sagar that we are firmly at the top of the sport of sailing in India.”
The closing ceremony and prize distribution will take place on Sunday at the Yacht Club of Hyderabad. K Ramakrishna Rao, chief secretary, government of Telangana, will preside over the event as the chief Guest.
FINAL MEDAL TALLY:
Under-16 boys: 1. Ravi Kumar Bennollu (TSA) 14 points, 2. Vutla Narasimha (TSA) 25 points, 3. Nilakonda Mani (TSA) 28 points.
Under-16 girls: 1. Rameeza Bhanu (TSA) 11 points, 2. Shringari Roy (TSA) 12 points, 3. Saakshi Kumari (TSA) 37 points.
Under-18 mixed double hander (International 420): 1. Badrinath Nirudu & Rishwitha Sunchanakota (TSA) 11 points, 2. Chandralekha Tattari & Dhanush Jakkula (TSA) 12 points, 3. Sirisha Jallammagari & Ram Charan (TSA) 25 points.
Under-18 skiff boys: 1. Sharanya Yuvaraj Jadhav & Shivam Walmiki (NYSC) 10 points, 2. Vinod Dandu & Aravind Maloth (TSA) 12 points, 3. Mohammed Rizwan & Dhoki Sathwik (NYSC) 22 points.
Under-18 single-hander boys: 1. Preet Siwal (NYSC) 8 points, 2. Hriday Jairam Joshi (NYSC) 14 points, 3. Kounik Vardhan (TSA) 26 points.
Under-18 single-hander girls: 1. Katyayani Kaushik (INWTC) 8 points, 2. Krithika Vishwanathan (SSC) 17 points, 3. Ramyasri Challa (TSA) 20 points.
