Young Swimming Star Pawani Bhatia Shines with Six New Medals

Meet Pawani Bhatia, a 13-year-old swimming prodigy from Jalandhar who has already made waves in the sport by winning over 50 medals and competing in multiple national championships. Recently, she added six more medals to her collection at the Sub Junior Punjab State Swimming Championship, showcasing her talent and dedication. With a remarkable journey that began at the age of three, Pawani continues to inspire with her commitment to swimming, even overcoming challenges like training in unheated pools. As she prepares for the upcoming National Swimming Championship in Jaipur, her story is one of resilience and passion for the sport.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 24, 2026, 07:01 IST

Pawani Bhatia: A Rising Star in Swimming

At just 13 years old, Jalandhar's swimming sensation, Pawani Bhatia, has already made her mark by competing in four national championships and amassing over 50 medals. Her latest achievement includes six additional medals, further showcasing her talent in the sport at various levels.

Recently, Pawani excelled at the 37th Sub Junior Punjab State Swimming Championship, hosted at Delhi Public School in Ferozepur by the Punjab Swimming Association, where she secured two golds, three silvers, and one bronze.

As a Class VIII student at Police DAV Public School, she triumphed in the 200m butterfly and the 4×100m medley relay, while also earning silver in the 100m butterfly, 50m butterfly, and 50m breaststroke, alongside a bronze in the 4×100m freestyle relay.

Competing in the girls' 13–14 years category, Pawani's journey began at the tender age of three. She clinched her first victory in Punjab at just five years old on August 15, 2018.

Her remarkable performances have earned her accolades from notable figures, including former Punjab Sports Minister Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi and the then Deputy Commissioner of Jalandhar, Varinder Sharma. In 2019, she continued her success by winning the North India Championship in Chandigarh.

Her father, Raghuvendra Bhatia, a physical education lecturer and swimming coach, expressed immense pride in her accomplishments, noting her unwavering dedication to training, even in adverse conditions.

In 2023, Pawani participated in the 34th Sub Junior Punjab State Swimming Championship, where she again showcased her prowess by winning three gold and three silver medals.

She represented Punjab at the 39th Sub Junior National Aquatic Championship in Bhubaneswar from August 16 to 20, 2023, organized by the Odisha State Swimming Association under the Swimming Federation of India.

Despite facing challenges, such as training in an unheated pool and competing while recovering from typhoid, Pawani remains focused on her upcoming National Swimming Championship in Jaipur.