Swimmer Ryan Gambin, an Australian citizen with a Maltese origin, is set to become a member of Team Malta.

MOC Director of Sport Pippo Psaila said the MOC came to know about him yesterday. He is 22 years old, is 6 metres high and weighs 92kg. He also practises karate and weightlifting.

He has been successful on several occasions, including gold, silver and bronze medal wins at Australian Open, the Canadian National and other events in New South Wales, the North Coast and Queensland. He also was the record holder for the 100m butterfly in New South Wales in 2001.

He is described as having an explosive start, has front end speed, is exceptionally quick underwater, is a perfectionist and totally committed to training as well as being strong and powerful.

He currently trains at Southport Olympic Pool, at Southport, Australia, under head coach Glen Baker, the Australian Swim Team coach. One of his colleagues in training is Ashley Callus, another future possible member of Team Malta.

He has 10 swimming sessions a week (6km per session), three gym sessions and various dry land circuits and activities pre-swim sessions.

His main objective is to represent Malta at next year’s Olympic Games in Beijing and to swim below 52.0 seconds in the 100m butterfly within the next two years.