Dubai: Dubai-based Pakistani swimmer Lianna Swan is targeting personal bests and national records when she competes at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, from Wednesday.
The 17-year-old Hamilton Aquatics and Jumairah College student already holds seven national records, but she is now aiming to go even faster in Glasgow, where she will compete in the 50 and 100-metre breaststroke, 50 and 100-metre freestyle and the 200-metre individual medley.
Lianna qualified to her first Commonwealth Games after winning nine gold and three silver medals at the Pakistan National Championships in Islamabad last month.
She won seven individual gold medals in the 50, 100 and 200-metre breaststroke, 100 and 200-metre backstroke, 200-metre individual medley and 400-metre individual medley relay. She also took team gold medals in the 4x100 and 4x200-metre freestyle as well as individual silver medals in the 50 and 100-metre freestyle and 50-metre backstroke.
Along with that haul, she broke national records in the 50-metre breaststroke (37.11s) and 200-metre backstroke (2:37.71) and claimed personal bests in the 50-metre freestyle (29.26s) and the 50-metre backstroke (33.50s). But she’s not finished yet.
“Medalling at the Commonwealth Games may be a little unrealistic, I’m going more for the experience,” said Lianna ahead of what will be her seventh national team appearance.
“Targets-wise I would like to improve on my times in both the 50-metre breaststroke and freestyle. Training has been going well so I’ve got to be confident, particularly with my breaststroke.
“But, whatever happens, I’m extremely proud to be representing my country. I’ve waited a long time to hear if I had made the team after the nationals but now I know I’m going, I’m just really looking forward to it. Compared to my previous events, this is so much bigger in scale, so it should be an amazing experience.”
Lianna’s mother Nadia said her daughter’s hopes of breaking national records over the longer distances had been dashed due to scheduling.
“Her first race is the 50-metre breaststroke this Thursday, followed by the 50-metre freestyle on Friday and then the 100-metre breaststroke, 100-metre freestyle and the 200-metre individual medley are all on Sunday.
“That last day with those three races may be a bit challenging as they are all in a short space of time in the morning.
“It would great to break personal bests or national records, that would be a real plus given that she’s been juggling training with studies. She’ll try her best and see how she goes.
“It’s an amazing opportunity to compete at such a prestigious event and to be chosen to represent your country against such experienced and superb athletes is a massive achievement,” she added.
