Tin Maung Ni

Tin Maung Ni (May 5, 1938-April 2, 1974) was a Myanmar swimmer who wrote a lasting legend in Myanmar Sport History by participating in two Olympic Games and making Myanmar well known around the world.^[1] Tin Maung Ni was born in Bhamo, a city known as the home of Myanmar sporting heroes, Kachin State, Myanmar by U Tin Yin and Daw Saw Tin. He was the fourth among the five siblings.

Swimmer Life

From the age of fifteen, he started his swimmer life after winning the regional swimming competitions. In 1958, he went to University of Rangoon after finishing the matriculation examination. Even in his freshman year, he participated in the Yangon All Clubs Swimming Competition and broke all the national records in 100 metres, 200 metres, 400 metre, 800 metres and 1500 metres in a role.

In 1959, Mr. Matsui Dar, a Japanese swimming trainer, became his coach and Tin Maung Ni can have learned swimming systematically. In that year, he could participate in First South East Asian Games in Bangkok and wrote new records in 100 metres and 200 metres freestyle swimming.

In 1960, he could participate in Rome Olympic and make Myanmar be at the tenth position among the 43 participating countries. Even in that year, he won gold medals in 200 metres, 400 meteres and 1500 metres and a silver medal in 100 metres swimming in second South East Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.

In 1961, Tin Maung Ni participated in swimming competition in Hapoel Celebration in Israel and won gold medal in 1500 m swimming and silver medals in 200 and 400 metres swimming. ^[2]

In 1961 SEAP Games Yangon, he won and gold medals in 1500 metres, 200 metres and 400 metres individual free style swimming and broke the records 400 metres in freestyle relay.

In 1962, he participated in Asian Olympic games and won gold medals in 1500 m and 400 m freestyle swimmning. He also got a Bronze medal in 200 metres swimming.

With these results, Tin Maung Ni could have participated in 1964 Tokyo Olympic, racing in 400 m and 1500 m freestyles and ranked at 6th and 4th respectively.

Tin Maung Ni had been famous not only in Myanmar but also in South East Asia, Asia and even in the world. He let the world know Myanmar in most of his international competitions.

However, he, a treasure and a legend of Myanmar, was quite unlucky that he passed away on April 2 1974 before his 36th birthday.

References