KATHMANDU, Oct 7: Teenager Sirish Gurung of Kendriya Vidhyalaya set two national records on Saturday shattering 25-year-old records and clinched four gold medals on the first day of NSA Cup Open and Age Group Swimming Championship held at the International Swimming Complex, Satdobato.
The 14-year old tenth grader Gurung set new records in men´s open 400 meter individual medley and 200 meter open butterfly beating his coach Ongden Lama´s records set in both categories during 1987 in Third SAF Games, Kolkata.
Gurung clocked 5:21:20 minutes to finish the 400m distance and clocked 2:29:88 minutes to set the record in 200 m open butterfly. He clinched gold in both the categories. Earlier, Lama held the records with the timing of 5:39:66 minutes and 2:33:59 minutes, respectively.
Earlier in August Gurung had set a new national record in 1500m open freestyle swimming breaking the 28-year-old record. On the occasion, Gurung had completed the distance in 19:48:16 minutes.
Gurung in a file photo.
"I had not expected to set two records today, but I was optimistic of keeping a record in 400m," said Gurung who credited the achievement to coach Ongden Lama. "I will try to set new records in coming days as well and perform better in the international swimming championship to be held in Dubai in November and Turkey in December," said Gurung.
Gurung who started swimming nine years back claimed other gold medals in 100 m open backstroke and 13-14 year age category 50m freestyle. Gurung clocked 1:33:56 minute in backstroke and 29:94 seconds in freestyle.
"I also aim to set a new record in 400m freestyle," said Gurung.
Meanwhile, Gurung´s coach Ongden Lama expressed happiness to see his record broken. "I am happy rather than being disappointed," said Lama adding, "Because the swimmer whom I trained broke my record. It is a great achievement for me as a coach and a milestone in the development of Nepali swimming."
Lama, who previously held five records, is one of successful swimmers of Nepal. Sailesh Rana had broken his 200m individual medley record two years ago. Lama still holds 4X200m freestyle and 4X100m freestyle records.
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