Gan Set For Splash With Best

Distance swimmer among S'pore's 72-strong squad at the World Aquatics Championships

- Kimberly Kwek

After a fruitful 3½ years in the United States, Gan Ching Hwee will embark on the next chapter of her sporting career in the comforts of home.

The 21-year-old decided to return to Singapore in May to pursue swimming full-time as she puts her further studies on hold after graduating from Indiana University.

She said: "I've been looking forward to coming back to Singapore since the Paris Olympics because my preparation for that was quite good back home.

"I'm just excited to be back home having good food... and just getting to see friends and family again."

With the cravings for her favourite dishes like prata, chicken rice and bak chor mee satisfied, Gan has switched her focus to the big task ahead: the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore from July 11 to Aug 3.

The distance swimmer was among the athletes unveiled as members of the 72-strong Singapore contingent, the largest from the Republic to feature at the world meet, during a presentation at the World Aquatics Championships Arena on July 2.

The line-up consists of 16 swimmers, 10 divers, nine artistic swimmers, eight open water swimmers, and the men and women's water polo squads.