LONDON, Aug 2: Immediately after bettering her own national record in the 100 m freestyle, swimmer Shreya Dhital could not believe that she achieved her target set for the London Olympics.
Dhital, 17, came to know that she bettered her own record after encounter with Nepali journalist at the mixed zone while returning from the Aquatic Center of Olympics Park.
"Is it true, are you sure," were the questions of teenager Dhital after being informed by journalists about her new national record. Dhital said, "Actually I don´t know. If what you say is true than I am really overjoyed. I can´t believe that."
Dhital completed the 100 m freestyle in 1 minute 10:80 second. Earlier, Dhital held the record with timing of 1 minute 10:82 second set last year during 14th FINA World Swimming Championship held in Shanghai, China.
Dhital thanked her family, coach and Nepali well-wishers after setting the new record. "My job was to deliver the best," said Dhital. "I love my country the most. Thus I want to dedicate this achievement to my nation."
Dhital who crashed out of the heat round finished in 47th spot among 48 swimmers. Dhital was pitted in the first round of heat along with Cambodia´s Ayouba Ali Sihame and Mareme Faye of Senegal. Meanwhile, Australia´s Ket Campbell and Sweden´s Threres Alsamar quit the competition.
German swimmer Britta Steffen holds both Olympic and world record in her name. Four year earlier, Steffen had set Olympics record in Beijing clocking 53.12 second and world record in Rome during 2009 World Championship with a timing of 52.07 second. In the heat round held on Wednesday, Steffen qualified for the finals finishing in 14th position. She clocked 53.28 second. China´s Tan Yi claimed top spot in the heat clocking 53.28 second to qualify as one of the 16 swimmers for the final round.
Dhital is the second athlete among five Nepali participants of Olympic. Shooting´s Sneha Rajya Laxmi Rana already crashed out of the 10 m air rifle finishing 54th among 56th shooters. Like other Nepali Olympian, Rana who has also set the target of bettering her national record failed to achieve it.
Rana had set the national record during Asian Shooting Championship held in Doha, Qatar, earlier this year scoring 388 points out of 400. But in the Olympics she managed to score only 383 points.
Prasiddhajung Shah will compete in men´s 50 m freestyle on Thursday while athletes Pramila Rijal will contest in women´s 100 m heat on Friday and Tilakram Tharu in men´s 100 m sprint on Saturday.
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