Jayaveena aims for a place in national team

Ranchi: 13-year-old swimming sensation A V Jayaveena, who won three medals in the just concluded 65th Senior National Aquatics Championship, is looking for a place in the national team.

"I took to swimming when I was two-and-a-half-year old. My next goal is to get selected in the Asian age group and get ready for India", said the Tamilnadu girl. "I am too young to think long term. Presently I like to focus on 50 metres breast stroke," she said when asked how she will shape her career. "I get inspiration from Richa Mishra ever since I saw her. I would like to emulate her feat," she said referring to Richa’s successful swimming career that added five gold medals in the just concluded championship. A class eight student in a Chennai school, Jayaveena practices six hours daily, three hours each in morning and evening, with trainer Girish. She smashed national record clocking 00:35:48 in the 50 metre breast stroke and also won two bronze medals in other events in the Championship. Jayaveena was the country’s youngest swimmer to bag two silver and four bronze medals in the 34th National Games in February this year. PTI