What is behind swimming success stories?

KATHMANDU, June 21: Shreya Dhital is in the limelight after winning 11 gold medals in the 16th National Open and Age-group Swimming Championship that concluded on Friday. Karishma Karki became a swimming sensation when she claimed 12 gold medals during the Fifth National Games in 2009.



Similarly, Nayana Shakya, was dubbed ‘swimming queen’ after she swept all nine gold medals in women’s swimming during the Fourth National Games in 1998.[break]



The success of these three girls over the last 13 years makes one wonder how a swimmer could grab so many medals in a single tournament.



“It all depends on training and how much time a player dedicates to training,” said Dhital.



Swimming chief coach at the National Sports Council Ishwar Karki agrees with Dhital. “Nobody in Nepal can pursue a career in swimming because they have to concentrate on studies and family affairs as they grow up. Whoever can manage time for training achieves medals and dominates a tournament,” said Karki.



Coach Karki’s daughter Karishma took part in very few events in the recently concluded championship and had to be content with a gold medal. “She is currently focusing on her studies, so she had no time to train and participate in more events this time,” said coach Karki.



Swimmer Shakya, while agreeing with Dhital and Karki, added that decline in the number of swimmers is also helping produce such results.



“Success comes through good training and hard work; whoever wins gold is a good swimmer. Meanwhile, lesser number of tough opponents and good swimmers is also helping new players to win more medals now than during my time,” said Shakya.



“The Pradhan sisters (Runa and Rubina), Stuti Singh and I faced tough competition during the late 1990s. Later, swimmers like Shaila Rana, Karishma Karki, Ocean Bharati and Bibidha Rimal forced us to share gold medals at the national events. But such tough contest has not been seen in the last few years,” said Shakya.







Shakya had fitness problems during the Fifth National Games and so did not participate in many events. She hardly takes part in competitions these days.



Rana is serving a two-year ban slapped by Nepal Swimming Association, while Karki and Rimal featured in only a few categories during the 16th National Swimming Championship.

Related story

National Swimming competition in private swimming pool