a day later Sajan Prakash sealed In the men’s 200m butterfly ‘A’ cut for the Tokyo Olympics, Indian swimmer Srihari Nataraja breached the A standard time for the upcoming Games. Natraj clocked 53.77s in the men’s 100m backstroke in the Sete Koli Trophy on Sunday.
However, his participation in the Olympics will be confirmed only if FINA approves the timing.
Natraj came close to breaking the A benchmark in the same event a few days back, but missed by 0.05 seconds after attempting 53.90 seconds.
Natraj’s effort in the time trial on Sunday has set a new national record. This set at 53.85 seconds is enough to earn the “A” mark for the Tokyo Games.
Sajan Prakash and Srihari Nataraj have booked their #tickettokyo!
This is the first time two Indian swimmers have earned automatic qualification for #olympics. please come inside! # better everyday #olympic swimming pic.twitter.com/eVVfDpT5YR
— JSW Sports (@jswsports) June 27, 2021
In time trials, swimmers do not compete against other competitors, but are given a chance to improve their times. The Bengaluru swimmer was given time trial permission by the organizers on the final day of Olympic qualification.
“Srihari Nataraja swam 53.77 seconds in the time trial for the 100m backstroke to achieve a qualifying time for Tokyo 2020. His time achieved in the time trial will be sent by the host federation to FINA along with the regular meet results,” said Swimming Federation India (SFI) said in a statement.
However, the timing needs to be officially approved by FINA, the world body of aquatic organisms.
“It would be for FINA to accept results from time trials in an approved qualification event; this is done regularly at many accredited meetings; as recently as the US Olympic Team Trials for the 400 m freestyle event. in the case.”
SFI secretary hopes FINA will consider Natraj’s timing
SFI Secretary General Monal Chokshi said, “We are very excited by the A cut achieved by both of our swimmers and look forward to this result for Srihari to be included as a direct qualification (A cut) entry for Tokyo 2020 in Sajan Prakash. This result will be taken into consideration.”
If Natraj’s timing is confirmed, the Tokyo Olympics will be the first time two Indian swimmers will compete in the Summer Games after securing direct qualification.
Sajan Prakash, who on Saturday created history by becoming the first Indian swimmer to break the Olympic A standard in the men’s 200m butterfly, continued his purple patch by clocking 1:49.73s in the 200m men’s freestyle event.
The 27-year-old bettered 2010 Asian Games bronze medalist Virdhawal Khade’s previous mark of 1:49.86.
While this will be Nataraja’s first Olympics, the Tokyo Games will belong to Prakash, who set a new national record in the 200m freestyle event, a second stint at the 2016 quadrennial sporting event, representing India in Rio. (with PTI inputs)