Published: September 3, 2026 at 8:02 pm
Young underwater swimming / finswimming athlete Garima Mishra was on Thursday felicitated at the Shri Maheshwari Vidyalaya (Purana Kabootar Khana), Hyderabad. Garima will represent India at the 2026 CMAS Asian Championship – Finswimming Indoor Juniors to be held in Haiyan, Republic of China.
The ceremony celebrated Garima’s remarkable achievement and her selection to represent the nation at the international championship. The unveiling of her official India jersey was a moment of pride and emotion for her family, coaches, supporters, and the sporting fraternity.
Dr Satish Malviya, MLA, Ghatiya, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, graced the occasion as the chief guest. He congratulated Garima on her achievement and extended his best wishes for her international campaign. He lauded the dedication, discipline, and determination required to compete at the international level and encouraged young athletes to strive for sporting excellence.
Several prominent personalities and well-wishers were present on the occasion, including Ramesh Kumar Bung (managing trustee, Maheshwari Seva Trust), Gopalji Bung (vice president, Maheshwari Seva Trust), Shyam Sundar Bung (secretary, Maheshwari Seva Trust) and Shiv Charan Ahir (secretary, Akhil Bharatiya Yadav Mahasabha, Telangana).
Representatives from CMAS India, Underwater Sports Association India, Kolkata Thunderbolts and other sports organizations were also present. The invaluable support of Maithan Alloys Pvt. Ltd., the sponsor of the event, was also acknowledged. The organizers expressed their gratitude to all supporters, coaches, well-wishers and sports lovers who contributed to encouraging the young athlete.
On this occasion, the organizers said that Garima’s selection to represent India is a matter of immense pride and her journey will inspire more young athletes to take up underwater sports and explore opportunities at the national and international level.
The ceremony concluded with best wishes for Garima Mishra’s successful performance at the 2026 CMAS Asian Championship Finswimming Indoor Juniors in China.
Garima credits growth to coach Rahul and her father
At just 14 years old, she now stands among the select group of young Indian athletes earning the opportunity to compete on the continental stage — representing the country at the CMAS Asian Championship, one of the most significant events on the junior international finswimming calendar.
Her selection is a reflection of consistent hard work and the kind of talent that USAI’s national development pathway is designed to identify and nurture, from grassroots training all the way to international representation. Garima credits much of her growth in the sport to the guidance of her coach Rahul Narwaria, alongside the early support of her father, who first introduced her to swimming.
Garima’s parents Sandeep Mishra and Poonam Mishra expressed immense pride and joy over their daughter’s selection to represent India internationally.
For the Mishra family, this achievement is the result of years of quiet support behind the scenes — and a moment of tremendous pride to see their daughter’s dedication recognised on the international stage at such a young age.
Reacting to Garima’s selection, Mayur, secretary, Underwater Sports Association India (USAI), expressed his happiness and pride at seeing the young athlete earn the opportunity to represent India at the continental level. He congratulated Garima and her family, highlighting that her selection is a proud moment not only for Hyderabad but for the entire Indian underwater sports community.
Kuldip Patil, secretary of the Finswimming Commission, Underwater Sports Association India, expressed his heartfelt congratulations to Garima, her parents, and her coach Rahul Narwaria.
The CMAS Asian Championship is one of the most prestigious continental platforms in junior finswimming, bringing together the best young talent from across Asia. Representing India at this level offers athletes like Garima invaluable international exposure, the chance to compete against top regional talent, and an important step on the pathway toward future CMAS World Championships and beyond.
