A YOUNG swimmer from Monmouth is one stroke closer to achieving her Olympic dream after qualifying for regional championships.

Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls (HSMG) pupil Erlina Ainsworth, aged 11, will race in the South West Regional Championships in May after winning two gold and two silver medals, along two fourth, a fifth and ninth place finishes in the Gloucester county competition.

The freestyler trains in the pool seven days a week and still manages to find time for other sporty pursuits including running, netball, hockey, lacrosse and rounders.

But swimming remains Erlina’s top priority as she admits to struggling to fit the rest in.

“Most of my training sessions are in the evening, but I have to get up at 5am on Tuesday mornings. I don’t really mind because I enjoy it when I’m in the pool,” she said.

“I like the excitement and energy I get from swimming. Some people get nervous before competitions, but I just can’t wait to start racing.

“I love the thrill of it and I’ve made lots of friends through swimming.

“I want to get to the Olympics – it would mean everything.”

Each training session focuses on a different stroke, and Erlina has developed her own way of making them interesting - singing to keep rhythm.

Along with two HMSG teammates, she also came third in the Welsh National Cross Country Championships recently, bringing home the bronze medal.