Thinley Namgay 

Swimmers Sangay Tenzin and Kinley Lhendup will represent Bhutan in the upcoming 15th FINA World Swimming Championships in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates in December.

With the support from the FINA, International Swimming Federation, the duo has been practising in Phuket, Thailand, for the past two years along with swimmers from more than 12 countries.

In Abu Dhabi, Sangay will compete in 100 metres (m) and 50m freestyle, whereas Kinley will participate in the 100m and 50m butterfly.

Sangay Tenzin, 17, from Gelephu participated in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as the first Bhutanese swimmer in the event. He is still in Japan, and he will arrive home on August 14.

Sangay Tenzin said that he would return to Thailand in October.  He said he would practice at the hotel’s swimming pool during his stay in Thimphu.

Sangay Tenzin came out with his personal best performance at the Olympics finishing 100m freestyle in 57.57 seconds but couldn’t advance to the next round.

Sangay said that discipline, resilience and unity are the important lessons he learnt from the Tokyo Olympics. “I’ll do my best for the upcoming competition in Dubai. I’m confident.”

Coach Miguel Lopez from Spain and Ayman Kyliz from Syria will coach the duo in Thailand.

Kinley Lhendup, also 17 years old, is from Wangsisina, Thimphu.

He said that he was hoping for the best result in Dubai. “Thailand has become like my home. Training facilities are advanced. We get to use the gym, outdoor and other indoor facilities.”

More than 40 events will be featured in the competition.

Edited by Tshering Palden