KITTIPONG THONGSOMBAT
Natthanan Jankranjang |
Winning a medal in Beijing is a mission impossible for swimmers Natthanan Jankranjang and Nimitta Thaveesupsoonthorn. They know only too well that all they can hope for is break their own personal records in the star-studded tournament.
Natthanan will be making her Olympic debut, while it will be Nimitta's second Olympic appearance. They are the only Thai swimmers who qualified for the 2008 Games.
Thanawit Thosakul, an official at the Swimming Association of Thailand, said their appearance in Beijing meant the country would take part in the sport in the Olympics for the fifth time in a row.
Thailand first won an Olympic berth in swimming in 1992 in Barcelona.
Natthanan, 21, is second to none in the freestyle in Southeast Asia.
She won four golds at last year's SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima and was named the best female athlete of the biennial event.
Former national coach Thanawit said Natthanan had gained experience and improved a lot over the years and seemed to be at her peak following her achievement at home and abroad.
Nicknamed 'Oom', Natthanan won 10 golds at the National Games last year. She grabbed four golds at the 2007 SEA Games in the 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle, 4x100m freestyle and 400m freestyle.
She will take part in the 100m and 200m freestyle in Beijing. Thanawit said setting a new personal best would be a success for the young star.
''She aims to break her own record of 2.30 minutes in the 200m freestyle _ her favourite event,'' he said.
Nimitta, 18, has been making fast progress, particularly in distance events.
Better known as 'Noey', Nimitta will participate in the 400m individual medley at the 2008 Games.
She is expected to beat her own mark of 4.55 minutes that won her gold at the 2005 SEA Games in the Philippines.
''Her target is 4.50 minutes,'' Thanawit said.
The qualifying round at the 2008 Olympics will be held in the morning which could be cool. Both Natthanan and Nimitta are training in China to get used to the weather there.
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