MUMBAI, NOV 25: She loves talking. She plays the piano (Grade II), keeps an eye on Boyzone on MTV, digs Archie comics. Besides, Zeba Wadia also wins national titles in swimming.

When cameras flashed in front of her face as she emerged from the pool, Zeba felt that she had finally ``arrived''. She had just won the 100 metre breastroke at the National aquatic championships at Thiruvananthapuram on November 9, becoming the first woman from the State to win a gold in the championships in eight years.

The 13-year-old -- youngest in the meet -- followed her success in the 100m breastroke with another gold in the inaugural 50m breastroke event and took the silver in the 200m breastroke. Her timing of 3:01:28 seconds in the 200m was below her best of 2:56:62 achieved at the National Games in Bangalore in May where, ironically, she finished third behind Karnataka's Sajini Shetty. Sajini did not participate at Thiruvananthapuram.

Zeba took ``naturally'' to the breastroke. Right from the time she started, at the age of one when she was initiated to the pool by father Homi -- then a physical instructor in Abu Dhabi -- she found herself inclined towards this particular stroke. After the Wadias came back to Mumbai five years later, Zeba continued swimming and improving in her pet event.

Coached by Prem Gajinkar at the Andheri Sports Complex for the last two years, she took to competitive swimming three years back. Zeba's run of success began last year, starting with the Maharashtra State School championships at Amravati in October 1996 where she won three gold medals.

While she had a whale of a time in Bangalore during the National Games, she returned with a bronze, losing to the disclipined Karnataka bandwagon, of whom she has more to say.

``They put in seven-eight hours of practice, have very good coaches and facilities. While here I would be happy to get a lane to swim, there they get the entire pool,'' she said. ``And they are so much fun. Not what I had expected from a bunch of champions.''

The ninth standard St Joseph's (Vile Parle) student received tips from many on her technique in Thiruvananthapuram, including Nisha Millet's father.And crowd support. According to mother Bakhtawar, she was the favourite of all, especially after she had won two gold medals.

In her final event of the tournament, the 200 metre breastroke, Zeba was egged on by all, including one Sebastian Xavier.

She needed all the support she enjoyed as an allergy to chlorine had her coughing between strokes. Fourth at one stage behind Sumi Cyriac of Kerala, Zeba ``just zipped'' to finish strongly and take the silver. ``Good fight,'' Xavier told her later. And that is what makes her a success. Spirit. She isn't worried about her less-than-perfect technique or her dislike for diving.

``In breastroke, the start is very important. But I just don't like diving,'' she giggled, adding that she needs to work on that aspect and on her turns. Worry, she does not. Not about her exams, nor about homework, nor on her forthcoming Trinity College, London Grade II piano exams. And certainly not on her swimming.

``Will go on as long as I am having fun, which I am at the moment. Let's see...'' she added.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.