23-year-old Srihari Nataraj is ready for his second Olympics, where he will compete in the 100m backstroke event.
From 11-year-old to 60-plus, Olympics is playground for all
Indian woman swimmer Maana Patel's participation in the Tokyo Olympics has been confirmed through 'Universality quota', the Swimming Federation of India (SFI) said.
'...I believe this is just the beginning for me and there is a long way to go ... many more medals to win for India.'
'I had to start from zero, so it was very, very frustrating and very consuming-- mentally and emotionally. I threw tantrums. There was a point that I really wanted to quit swimming.'
Competing in their maiden Olympics, both swimmers put up underwhelming performances and were unable to match their personal best times in the 100 metres backstroke.
The Kerala swimmer has been continuously improving his performance in the 200m butterfly event.
The duo will hope to make the cut in an Olympic qualifying event in Rome later this week.
'I would say cut down another 0.5 seconds and it's possible in this case and that will take me 1:55:8, something that will surely get me into the semi-finals, and maybe towards the final as well.'
This swimmer from Karnataka was granted an Olympic berth when FINA sprung a surprise by choosing him in the men's 1,500m freestyle under the 'Universality' quota.
India has been granted an Olympic berth in swimming with the world body FINA springing a surprise by choosing Karnataka swimmer Gagan AP Ulalmath in the men's 1,500m freestyle.
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