Lalitpur, December 8

On a day swimming sensation Gaurika Singh created history, Duana Lama bagged her second silver medal in the 13th South Asian Games here at the International Sports Complex pool today.

The 13-year-old Lama, the youngest Nepali athlete of the regional sporting extravaganza, finished second in the 200m butterfly event with the timing of 2:33.16. Indian swimmer Apeksha Delyla Fernandes claimed gold in 2:21.83, while Bangladesh’s Junayna Ahmed finished third in 2:33.75.

She them teamed up with Gaurika Singh, Tisa Shakya and Anushiya Tandukar to win 800m freestyle relay for her fourth medal of the meet. Lama had bagged her first silver in 200m breaststroke event on the first day of the competition and also won the 400m freestyle relay along with Singh, Shakya and Tandukar.

“I am extremely happy with my performance in the SA Games as I was able to win two silver medals in individual section and two more in relays,” said Lama. “I want to excel in swimming and I will now focus to be like Gaurika Singh. I want to play like her and reach the place where she is now,” added Lama. Singh ended Nepal’s gold medal drought on the first day and became the first Nepali player to win three gold medals in a single SA Games meet today.

Coach Nayana Shakya, the member of the 400m freestyle relay team that bagged Nepal’s maiden gold medal in swimming in the 1999 SAF Games in Kathmandu, was excited with the swimmers’ performance in the SA Games.

Duana Lama swims during the women’s 200m butterfly event; (Down) Swimmers celebrate after winning bronze medal in 800m freestyle relay, under the 13th South Asian Games at the International Sports Complex pool in Lalitpur on Sunday.

“Gaurika is a star and I am speechless on her performance.

As a player, Singh is humble and she has got the potential to reach the highest level in swimming,” said Shakya.

Shakya lauded the performance of other swimmers. “I am equally happy with the performance of other swimmers.

Now that we have got proper facilities for training, I am sure the standard of swimming will go high in the days to come and we will have more swimmers who can win gold medals for the country,” she added.