GUWAHATI, Jan 18 - With some splendid performances in the last few years, national record holder Astha Choudhary, who is representing Delhi has her sights on gold at the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) here.
The Assam born swimmer is eying gold in the 200m and 100m butterfly event to be held on January 21 and 22, respectively at the Dr. Zakir Hussain Aquatic Complex swimming pool in Sarusajai Sports Complex. The 15-year-old Assamese swimmer said that she expects a better result than the last edition held at Pune.
Regarding her experience so far, Astha said: �I was nervous till a point of time but I also feel motivated. There were certain negativity but then I spoke to my coach Partha Pratim Majumder who has been coaching me for the past four years and he keeps motivating me and the Sports Authority of India has also supported us a lot.�
Astha broke the 7-year-old national record in 50m breaststroke twice last year at Khelo India Youth Games and again in the School Games Federation of India nationals.
Astha maintains a strict schedule that includes several hours of training.
�I wake up at 5 am and then I go for my training that starts from 5.15 am and continues to 7.30 am. After having my breakfast, I go to my school. Till 12.20 pm I am at my school after which I have my tuition as I have my 10th board exams coming up so that goes on from 1 pm to 2.15 pm. After having my lunch, I go for practice again from 3.15 pm to 6.45 pm followed by gym training. I have my dinner between 7.30 pm to 8.30 pm after that we get our phones for an hour after which we go for our studies again and then it�s time to rest,� Astha revealed.
The 15-year-old started training in Delhi following a trial where three other players were also selected. Astha�s selection also led her mother Monika Chiring Choudhury shifting to Delhi in order to support her daughter in balancing her education and sporting career.
