American gold medal swimmer announced Olympic intent in letter to parents when he was 8

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American swimmer Ryan Murphy captured his first career gold medal Monday night, topping the podium in the 100-meter backstroke. In winning the medal, the 21-year-old Murphy, who currently attends the University of California, Berkeley, achieved a goal he had set for himself at a very young age.

AUGUST 08: Gold medalist Ryan Murphy of the United States poses during the medal ceremony for the Men's 100m Backstroke Final on Day 3 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 8, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Getty) — Gold medalist Ryan Murphy of the U.S. poses during the medal ceremony for the men’s 100-meter backstroke. (Getty)

When Murphy was an 8-year-old, he hand-wrote a letter to his parents announcing his gold medal aspirations.

Ryan Murphy wrote this when he was a young boy. Ryan, this isn’t the end – it’s just the beginning! #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/zCEFfrCMDb

— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 9, 2016

“I hope my swimming life continues and I become an Olympian when I grow up,” wrote the young Murphy back in 2003. “I hope I will break records. I want to be the best swimmer in the world.”

NBC showed a picture of the letter in its broadcast Monday night after Murphy’s triumph on the podium.

Although Murphy only achieved one of his 8-year-old self’s objectives – becoming an Olympian but not setting a world record – at 21 the four-time NCAA champion still has plenty of time to set some records.

Oh, and winning a gold medal isn’t too shabby either!