AT the age of three, top junior swimmer Richard Hampson was handicapped by asthma.

For six years, the 20-year-old Great Britain team member was in and out of hospital -- until his consultant advised him to start swimming.

At nine, he joined Howe Bridge Aces and took to the sport like a duck to water.

Now the 400m butterfly ace has left for America on a four-year scholarship to train and study at the prestigious SMU University in Dallas, Texas.

But he will be back for a week in April to compete in the Commonwealth Games trials, and be working towards winning a dream Olympic place.

Richard, a former pupil at St Catherine of Sienna, Lowton, Leigh St Mary's High School, Astley, and Wigan and Leigh College, recently moved to Wigan with mum and dad, Bernard and Gail, and his five younger brothers and sisters.

Gail said: "As a toddler, he suffered badly with asthma and kept ending up in hospital. A specialist told us to take him swimming to strengthen his lungs and that was it.

"He did well at junior level swimming for Lancashire, the Northern Counties, Great Britain in Moscow and representing England schools in China.

"When he reached senior level at 18, it stretched the family trying hard to support him financially. To be a champion, you have to work at the sport full time.

"He went on the Internet and applied to American universities, and had three offers, two with a 100 per cent scholarship, which means everything will be paid for, including training fees, his degree course, books, accommodation, food and equipment.

"He applied before the horrors of September 11. When I heard about the Twin Towers tragedy, I didn't want him to go. I was terrified, but he is really excited and it will be a great experience for him.

"He will have the best coaches and much better competition. Here, he is one of the oldest club members swimming about 60,000 metres a week with younger children. If he hadn't got the scholarship, he would probably have had to give up his goal of swimming in the Olympics. Now he can go for it.

"We are really proud of him, he has always worked really hard for his success."

From Howe, Bridge Richard moved to Hindley ASC and is a member of the Wigan scheme of excellence and Tyldesley ASC. Going for gold: After overcoming adversity, swimmer Richard Hampson has his sights set on the Commonwealth and Olympic Games