The 14-year-old, a 10th grader of Kendriya Vidhyalaya, broke 13 years old record in 400m freestyle and 200m backstroke at the Satdobato Swimming Pool in Lalitpur. In course of setting the freestyle record in 400 m, Gurung clocked 4 minutes 47.38 seconds. [break]
Earlier, Shyam Bahadur Gurung held the record in his name with the timing of 4 minutes 58.25 seconds, set during 1999 SAF in Kathmandu.
In 200m freestyle, Gurung shattered Pushpa Raj Shahi´s record clocking 2 minutes 43.10 seconds. Shahi had set the record during the 1999 SAF in Kathmandu with a timing of 2 minutes 45.59 seconds.
With his two new records, the teenager has become the youngest Nepali player to hold six records under his name.
Gurung and Dhital with their awards.
Earlier, in the opening day on Saturday, Gurung had made national records in men´s 400m individual medley and 200m butterfly of open section on Saturday and Sunday, Gurung set a record in 200m freestyle. In August, Gurung had set new national record in 1500m freestyle breaking the 28-year-old record.
Along with the two new records, Gurung finished with the highest 13 gold medals out of 14 events he had participated. He finished empty handed only in open 50m freestyle category.
Gurung who was declared the best player in men´s category won five golds on Monday, including in 100 m open butterfly, 14 years 50m backstroke and 14 years 50m breaststroke. In 100m butterfly, Gurung clocked 1 minute 8.53 seconds, 37.80 seconds in 50 m backstroke and 37.96 seconds in 50m breaststroke.
"I had not expected to make so many new national records in the event, but I was optimistic of setting new records in two events. And I achieved those during the first day," Gurung told Republica.
Gurung who failed to win any medal in the 50-meter freestyle said, "To win 50 meter more power is required. Senior swimmers from Army were stronger than me. Besides that I was also exhausted after competing in so many events."
"Technique and stamina are essential to win the 400 meters," shared Gurung, who was optimistic of winning 10 golds among a total of 14 entries.
Gurung credited his win to his coach Ongden Lama, family members and former New Zealand coach Cliff Threidgood, who inspired him to compete in long distance swimming. "Coach Lama had trained me very well and I also got good backing from my family."
Regarding his future plans in swimming Gurung said, "Now I will try to win at least a medal in South Asian Games in the individual event as no Nepali swimmer has achieved that feat," said Gurung, who also vows to give his best performance in other international tournaments.
Meanwhile, Shreya Dhital, who got the best female player award, also set a new national record in women´s 17 years age category 50m butterfly, bettering her own record. She completed the distance in 34.60 seconds to better her previous record of 34.75 seconds set during during Galaxy Swimming Championship in 2011.
Dhital also won two other gold medals in women´s open 50m freestly and open 50m butterfly. Anjali Syangbo took home golds in women´s open 50m breaststroke, and 14 years category 50m backstroke.
Jayanta Prakash Gurung claimed first positions in 17 years men´s 50m butterfly and open 50m backstroke. Roshan Pun took home boy´s 50m butterfly, Aditi Dhital in 14 year age girl´s 50 m breaststroke, Ashish Dhital in 12 years age 50m freestyle and Dilip Thapa Magar in men´s open 50m freestyle.
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