KARACHI: National swimming champion Kiran Khan finished 10th in her 50-metre butterfly event at the ninth Asian Swimming Championship in Dubai but Liana Swann managed to break three national records in the 400 individual medley, 100-metre freestyle and 200-metre breast stroke events.
The Pakistan Swimming Federation (PSF) had sent five swimmers to Dubai where Kiran made a comeback to the international arena after an 18-month break.
Swann came 11th in the 200m breaststroke event, finishing in two minutes and 51 seconds which improved her national record by a second.
She finished the 100m freestyle in one minute and 30 seconds, improving by a second once again, before finishing the 400m individual medley in five minutes and 27 seconds.
According to the PSF Secretary Majid Waseem, the federation is pinning their hopes on Swann who trains in Dubai throughout the year.
“Swann will be competing in three more races so we are hoping that she will break more national records,” Swann’s coach Ashley Morris told The Express Tribune.
‘Faster than Kiran and Anam’
“She is 15 right now and faster than Kiran and Anam Banday (the swimmer PSF sent to the Olympics earlier this year). Our aim is to set new records here in Dubai and then prepare for the World Swimming Championships next year.
If she remains in form, she may be sent to the 2016 Olympics. She has a lot of potential.”
Two other young swimmers Areeba Saif and Anisha will be competing in the individual medley events today.
Source: http://tribune.com.pk/story/466849/liana-breaks-three-national-records/
