You finished the State Junior Championship
on a high note. How do you feel?
Ifeel happy. To tell you, I had no strong competition. I would
be 5 to 6 secs ahead of the other competitors (blushes). Being in
Group-I, I won 9 individual Golds and two in relay. I clocked 28.13
secs in the 50 mts freestyle event. It's a new state record.
What are your plans after this - Olympics?
n the nationals, we have selections for the Olympics. I'd like to
get selected. If not in the nationals, definitely at the Asia Pacific,
to be held from 2nd August, where China, Korea, Taiwan, Sri Lanka
and other countries will also be participating.
When did you first get into water?
 I
was 11 when I first started swimming. When we used to live in Madras,
there was a pool close by our house. Nisha used to swim there. As
I had asthma, the doctor advised me to swim. I went with Nisha and
from then on I started swimming.
Your favourite stroke?
I like freestyle, especially 50 mts. I am quite fast& I can do
well! I want to try the flies - I mean, the butterfly, this nationals,
though I may not win a medal.
Your moment of pride in the pool? It came in the state meet
in Bangalore, when I beat Nisha. Actually we had clocked the same
time - the same second too. Then the visual guides decided on it and
I was selected as the winner. How are the facilities here in Bangalore?
The facilities are good at the Basavangudi Aquatic Centre. The pool
is clean and better than the other pools in the city. My coach, Pradeep
Kumar, was helpful during my initial stages.
How are the pools in Australia?
The pools are very good, very well maintained. Even the competition
is good. They have attitude and set high standards. They work hard
with precision. From February to May, I stayed in Australia and was
coached by Bernie Mulroy.
Do you think foreign swimmers are better than the Indian swimmers?
Yes. Their food is healthy, fat free and they have good facilities
too. There, even the non-swimmers follow a strict diet - they eat
pasta and non-oily stuff. Here, food is fried and oily.
What are your future plans? You'd like to continue swimming or have
an educational career instead? I'm doing my tenth now and I'm
average in studies. My school principal at Sophia's is very helpful.
She gives me permission to compete in all the events and lets me write
the exam. I like to make swimming my career. I'll swim till I grow
old.
Then when do you study for your exams?
During tours I study for a few hours and also whenever I find time.
What about scholarships?
I might get a scholarship from Youth Services, Karnataka. Shika Tandon
has applied and she'll get it. They usually pay
Rs 3 lakhs to the swimmer and Rs 2 lakhs to the coach.
Your most cherished moment?
My first National Gold medal at Hyderabad in '98. I'm good in freestyle,
and I didn't expect to win a medal in 100 mts backstroke.
Your other interests / hobbies? I love music - hard rock and playing
the guitar. I like bowling too.
How do you feel living in Bangalore?
The weather is perfect. It's cold sometimes, but nice& All
my friends are here!
Your ambition in life?
To swim in the Olympics.
Your inspiration in your swimming career?
Suzie Oniel of Australia. She recently broke two world records in
the Olympic trials.
How's your relationship with Nisha?
At home we are close. In the pool we fight (laughs) and forget
we are sisters; we are just competitors.
Do you want to better Nisha?
Yes. I want an identity of my own. I'd like people to call me 'Reshma
Millet' rather than 'Nisha Millet's sister'. Once I qualify for
Olympics, naturally I'll have my own identity.
Click
here for her profile
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