Surat : Devanshi Rana Wins Gold, Silver & Bronze at Asian Youth Para Games 2025

Surat | Gujarat — Surat’s 16-year-old swimming champion Devanshi Rana has made the country proud on the world stage with another achievement in swimming. Recently, in the ‘Under-16 Asian Youth Para Games-2025’ held in Dubai, she has scored a hat-trick of wins by winning gold, silver and bronze in 3 swimming competitions – 100 meter backstroke, 100 meter freestyle and 50 meter freestyle.

Not only this, Devanshi was the only competitor to get the opportunity to represent the country for swimming in this category. Surat Municipal Commissioner Shalini Agarwal also congratulated Devanshi.

Devanshi, an inspiration not only to children and youth of Surat but also across the country, started swimming coaching in 2022, furthering her friendship with water. So far, she has participated in various competitions including four National Para Swimming Championships, Ocean Swimming Competition and Khel Mahakumbh, winning a total of 30 medals, including 22 gold, 3 silver and 5 bronze.

Devanshi, describing backstroke as her strength in swimming, said, “I have loved playing in water and swimming since childhood. But after seeing my maternal uncle, who is a swimming coach himself, and seeing his medals, I also wanted to take up swimming coaching.”

“Also, I had a physical deformity of ‘club foot’ since birth, and it was found that swimming improves it. So I started coaching in 2022. Seeing my good speed, my coach and uncle also encouraged and guided me to prepare for the competition. Also, my organization The Society for Physically Handicapped-Surat and Para Sports Association-Surat and its Anandbhai Shah have always supported me and other children like me to move forward in sports.” added Devanshi.

To get the best results in sports, she regularly practices swimming for four hours under the guidance of coach Rajan Sarang. Along with running and exercise, she also takes proper care of her diet. She is being constantly encouraged by her parents who are working in the zari factory. 

Devanshi, who has achieved many milestones in swimming competitions, received the ‘Gujarat Garima’ award from the Chief Minister and Governor of the state on Gujarat Foundation Day last year.