Fastest kid in the pool: Aiesha Lewis-Zraika is NSW's fastest female 10-year-old breaststroker over 100m. Picture: Simon Bennett
AIESHA Lewis-Zraika recently became the fastest 10-year-old female 100-metre breaststroke swimmer in NSW, leaving rivals in her wake during the NSW Swimming 12 and Under State Age Championships.
She also won a bronze medal in the 11 years' 200 metres breastroke event.
The Liverpool Swim Club member trains at the Whitlam Leisure Centre, coached by Ben Tuxford and Tijana Radanovic.
Aiesha said she had to conquer pre-race nerves before she competed in her gold medal-winning race.
"I was so nervous waiting for my race to start I was talking to myself in my head and telling myself I can do this," Aiesha said.
"When I was close to the end of my race my shoulders and thighs were really hurting and I was really tired, but I could hear Tijana my coach in my head telling me what to do, so I just tried to focus.
"When I hit the wall and looked around and saw it was just me there, I quickly looked up at the clock and saw my name and a number one beside it.
"I knew I had won and turned around to look up to the stands for my mum and dad and mum was crying and jumping up and down and my dad had the biggest smile."
Aiesha cut three seconds off her personal best for gold, three seconds ahead of nearest rival with a time of 1 minute 24.40s.