Sangay Tenzin has his first race on December 18 

Thinley Namgay   

Sangay Tenzin and Kinley Lhendup, the two swimmers representing Bhutan at the 15th FINA World Swimming Championships, are currently in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates.

Kinley Lhendup from Thimphu will participate in the 200-metre (m) individual medley race today. He will compete in the 100m butterfly tomorrow.

Kinley Lhendup

Sangay Tenzin

Meanwhile, Sangay Tenzin will compete in 50m and 100m freestyle on December 18 and December 20, respectively.

The duo has been practising in Phuket, Thailand, for more than two years along with swimmers from more than 12 countries with support from the FINA.

They reached Abu Dhabi on December 14. The two athletes were accompanied by Coach Miguel Lopez from the FINA training centre, Thailand.

Kinley Lhendup, 17, said: “I have been training hard for the past two months, and preparation up to now has been awesome.  I am excited about today’s race and especially the 100m butterfly.”

“It’s my first time in Dubai. The environment is good and people are friendly,” Kinley Lhendup said.

The 17-year-old Sangay Tenzin from Gelephu took part in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in a 100m distance swimming range.

Sangay Tenzin came out with his personal best performance at the Olympics finishing 100m freestyle in 57.57 seconds. He returned to Thailand in October.

Sangay Tenzin said there are participants from more than 100 countries.

“I feel good and hope to achieve my target. This is my first short course competition. I am hoping for the best,” Sangay Tenzin said.

The competition begins today and will end on December 22. There are 22 events for both men and women.