Diu, May 21 -- Karnataka and Maharashtra clinched top honours as open water swimming event got under way at the Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) 2025, being held in Ghoghla Beach, Diu.

Renukacharya Hodmani of Karnataka and Diksha Yadav of Maharashtra bagged gold in the men's and women's sections, respectively, in their 10km open events conducted on the Arabian Sea here on Wednesday.

The two states have demonstrated their dominance in swimming even during the Khelo India Youth Games and University Games over the years. A similar trend followed at the inaugural KIBG as well.

Gold medal-winner Renukacharya, 17, started with swimming when he was seven-year-old, but forayed into open water only three years back.

"I'm happy the waves were fri...