Aug 1, 2012-National swimmer Shreya Dhital lived upto her words in the London Olympics as she set a new national record in the 100m freestyle at the Aquatic Centre on Wednesday.

Dhital clocked 1:10.80 to surpass her own record of 1:10:82 set in the 14th Fina World Swimming Championship in China in 2011. Before Dhital, the record belonged to Luna Pradhan.

Though, the 17-year-old failed to qualify for the main events, finishing at 47th out of 54 participants in the heats, she expressed her happiness for being able to achieve what she had promised before her departure to London. “Today’s record will help me better my performance in the coming days,” said Dhital, who was accompanied by her parents to the Games as they have done in every national and international events she has competed in.

Her coach Ongden Lama spoke highly of her performance in the event. “I acknowledge her performance as an achievement,” he said. “I was expecting much improved results from her as she had clocked 1:9 during her training but we are content with her performance.”

While the Nepali contingent celebrated Dhital’s achievement at the Aquatic Centre in the afternoon, there was some bad news in store for them at the Games village. The country’s participant in the 100m sprint, Pramila Rijal, is in serious doubt of making it to the event on Friday due to a severe backache. Her coach Tika Sedhai said she is under medication as she has been bedridden for the last three days. “She has been injected with painkillers by the doctors,” he said. Nevertheless, Sedhai did not rule out the 27-years-old’s chances of competing in the race.

“We were optimistic about Rijal breaking a national record as she was in good shape but her illness has given us cold feet,” he said.

Rowing bags first gold for GB

owers Helen Glover and Heather Stanning won the women’s pair title Wednesday to register Great Britain’s first gold medal at the London Olympics. The pair, also capturing the host nation’s first ever women’s Olympic rowing gold medal, crossed the line well clear of Australia with world champions New Zealand taking bronze.

Britain beat Brazil in football

Great Britain enjoyed their finest result in their brief history as a women’s football nation as they beat female soccer superpower Brazil 1-0 to advance into the Olympic quarter-finals on Tuesday.  Stephanie Houghton gave the hosts a dream start in the second minute when she rounded goalkeeper Andreia for what turned out to be the game’s only goal.

Published: 02-08-2012 09:31

1. The Kathmandu Post
2. ›Sports
3. › Nabin Pokhrel