‘I want to represent Nepal in Olympic Games’

LALITPUR: “My dream is to represent Nepal in Olympics,” said 12-year-old Gaurika Singh after setting national records in all the six events she took part in the 20th National Open and Age-group Swimming Championship on Monday. Singh credited her success to hard training.

“I train for six days a week and I do that in better facilities,” added Singh, who moved to UK when she was two-year-old. She trains at Copthall Swimming Club in London under coaches Rhys Gormley and Christine Green, who have produced world-class swimmers.

Singh is here with her mother Garima Rana, the SLC board topper in 1994. Last year, Singh set seven national records on her way to winning seven gold medals in her debut participation. This year she swam in six events and broke records in all events. “I want to do better and improve my timing rather than focusing in the number of events,” said Singh. She intends to participate in national championships every year and wants represent the country in South Asian Games and Asian Games before fulfilling her dreams of swimming in the Olympics.

Her mother Garima Rana said she first introduced her daughter to gymnastics. “We had to withdraw her from the sport because of her height and took her to swimming,” said Rana. “It was difficult in the beginning but she worked hard,” Rana added. Rana was optimistic about her daughter’s dreams of representing Nepal in international arena.

“At the moment she is unstoppable and we hope she will continue with the same spirit in the days to come,”she added. “We are always with her and will continue to support her.”