"Wonder girl" Mayumi wins 10 medals

By Leslie Fernando

Two swimmers who captured the hearts of swimming fans at the South Asian Games were 15-year-old 'wonder girl' Mayumi Raheem who had a total of ten medals while the other 15-year-old Andrew Abeysinghe who swam in two events - 100 and 200 metres Back Stroke getting South Asian Games records in both events.

Mayumi's timings in her gold medal efforts - 50 metres Breast stroke 34.97 seconds, 100 metres Breast 15.84 seconds, 200 metres Breast 2 min. 45.24 seconds and all three gold medal winning timings got her three South Asian Games records.

She also had 3 Silver medals and 4 Bronze medals.

To obtain ten medals in one discipline in an international meet is a very remarkable and resounding feat. This praiseworthy performance come from none other than young Sri Lankan lass Mayumi Raheem who won the first gold medal for Sri Lanka in swimming on August 19 in the second event of the day 100 metres breast stroke around 4.30 p.m. at the Sugathadasa Stadium pool.

Mayumi Raheem is t he name which evokes plenty of respect from the Sri Lankan swimmers. The Sri Lanka powerhouse Mayumi, the Singapore trained girl, showed her class winning three gold medals in her pet events 50 metres, 100 metres and 200 metres breast stroke in grand fashion. She also went on to establish new games records in all three events. Raheem said that her initial targets were on gold medals and wanted to achieve that with something special - establishing new games records, "I achieved it due to proper training and guidance, motivation extended by the coaches."

She said that there is no point in doing too many events. "I now want to concentrate on just three or four events, 50, 100, 200 metres breast stroke and 200 metres individual medley.

True I had a hand in three silvers and four bronze medals, it is because to bring honour to the country.

Mayumi who has represented Sri Lanka at the Commonwealth Games, FINA World Short Course Swimming Championships is making every effort to swim at the forthcoming Asian Games to be held in Qatar in December, if selected.

Mayumi is likely to be in the Sri Lanka contingent after her superb feat at the South Asian Games.

It must be remembered that despite Mayumi training in Singapore, she has participated in several SLASU conducted meets. She participated at the Otter AC at the Swimming Nationals 2005 and won all five events she participated. Furthermore she was selected the Champion Women's Swimmer of the meet.