"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.
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