Penza, 20 May 2015. PenzaNews. The Penza region swimming tournament for Natalya Sutyagina awards began in “Sura” water sports complex on Wednesday, May 20. Natalya Sutyagina is well-known as the Distinguished Master of Sports of Russia.

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Over 300 people – teenage boys and girls born in 1997-1999 – are competing in the tournament.

Among those involved in the competition for the prizes are students of the regional Olympic reserve sports school, sports schools “Gorizont” and “Soyuz,” and swimmers from five areas of the region, the head coach of the event Olga Surkova informed PenzaNews agency.

“These areas are Lopatino, Nikolsk, Nizhny Lomov, Kuznetsk and Kamenka. The competitions have been held since 2010 and include 17 main tracks,” the speaker clarified.

The regional competition has been timed to coincide with the All-Russian tournament underwan in Volgograd.

“A 15-person team from Penza is performing there, while our tournament is an alternative for the athletes who could not get into the regional team main or secondary roster,” Olga Surkova explained.

Natalya Sutyagina herself welcomed the swimmers at the opening ceremony.

“I wish you to perform well. Believe in yourself, reach for what you aim, and may all your medals be dedicated to the Penza region,” she said.