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LARCHMONT, N.Y. Maftuna Tuhtasinova, an Uzbeki swimmer and Olympic hopeful training in the United States, has been embraced by highly regarded national and international swimming coach John Collins Jr. and his Badger Swim Club of Larchmont.
Maftuna just started with us last week, so I dont have a progress report yet, Collins said. However, I like what Ive seen so far. She hasnt trained in a team scenario and I think shes enjoying the change from being a solitaire.
Collins, who has coached Badger swimmers to several World Championships and to Olympic medals in four of the last five Olympic Games, coached the United States Womens swim team at the 2007 World Championships, where Tuhtasinova competed.
Tuhtasinova, an 18-year-old who is training to be a part of the Uzbeki Olympic team that will compete in the 2012 Olympic Games in London this summer, came to the United States in March to work with American coaches. The Uzbek national swimming program does not approach the top level of the sport, so Tuhtasinovas family reached out to Russian-American swimming coach Igor Shoukhardin for assistance in training Maftuna.
I'm swimming with Badgers and I like everything, Tuhtasinova said. Coach John, Kaitlyn (Ferguson), Aaron (Montgomery), the swim team and training. Im training hard but I think it can help me to show my best results. Thanks everyone.
Collins is preparing his Badgers for the upcoming USA Olympic Trials set for Omaha, Nebraska in June. Three of his swimmers Ryan Feeley and Courtney Ciardiello of Rye and Alex Gianino of Yonkers - will be competing.
We're putting (Maftuna) in some local meets in late April and early May and a major meet at Rutgers over Memorial Day weekend, Collins said. By then, Ill have a better idea of where she's at. My guess is that she'll do well. She's enthusiastic and has some talent and some big time experience (2007 World Champs in Melbourne, Australia).
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