Nepalese swimmer Gaurika Singh is a fan of Australian world champion Mitch Larkin

A NEW rival for world champion Emily Seebohm has emerged - 13 year-old Nepalese swimmer Gaurika Singh.

Nepalese swimmer Gaurika Singh.

A NEW rival for world champion Emily Seebohm emerged during the heats for the 100m backstroke on day two of the swimming at the Rio Olympics.

It is 13 year-old Nepalese athlete Gaurika Singh – and it has nothing to do with swimming.

The youngest competitor in Rio, Singh didn’t swim fast enough to get close Seebohm in the pool, but if she had her way she’d like to be introduced to Seebohm’s boyfriend and fellow world champion Mitch Larkin.

Surrounded by a bigger media contingent than Mack Horton attracted after his gold medal swim on the first night of competition, Singh was asked whether she had seen any famous people during her time at the Games.

“I saw Mitchell Larkin,” she said. She didn’t add “he’s dreamy”, but it was inferred.

“He’s an amazing swimmer. I didn’t talk to him, he was training. I didn’t want to disturb him.”

Nepalese swimmer Gaurika Singh.

Told that Larkin was a nice person, and she shouldn’t have been shy, she said, “Yes, he looked nice.”

The cute schoolgirl with the infectious giggle and mouthful of braces, lives and trains in London but her family maintains its close links with Nepal and Singh competes in the country’s national championships every year.

She was there in April last year when the country was devastated by an earthquake, and sheltered under a table as the house in which she and her family were staying was shaken, but remained upright.

She donated her prizemoney from winning the national championship to the country’s earthquake appeal.

“It wasn’t a lot of money, but hopefully every little bit helps,” she said.

Probably more helpful is Singh’s involvement in events like the Olympics. Coming from a country that has only three 50m pools, she has become something of a national figure in Nepal and her parents maintain a Facebook page to enable her Nepalese supporters to follow her progress.

“I don’t know how many people follow me, but I’d like to think me being here makes them feel proud. I’m going straight there after I finish here. I know a lot of people will be asking me what it was like to be at the Olympics.”

So how has it been?

“Massive.”

Originally published as Nepalese swimmer Gaurika Singh is a fan of Australian world champion Mitch Larkin