A trio of national swimming talent embarked on a mission to Barcelona last night to compete at the ongoing 15th FINA World Aquatic Championships.

Short distance specialists Hem Thon Ponleu and his niece Hem Thon Vitiny, who both represented Cambodia at the 2012 London Olympics, are joined by Pu Sovichea, who has been entered into the men’s 400m freestyle and 1,500m freestyle events.

22-year-old Ponleu will aim to make a splash in his familiar 50m freestyle and 50m butterfly races, while 19-year-old Vitiny vies for glory in the 50m freestyle and 50m backstroke women’s competitions.

Funding for their trip has come from the International Swimming Federation (FINA), the International Olympic Committee, the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia and the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport. Heats for all swimming events start this Sunday, with finals wrapping up on August 4.