Tokyo Olympics: Srihari Nataraj becomes second Indian swimmer to qualify, here's his reaction

By Team Newsable | First Published Jul 3, 2021, 6:48 PM IST

Srihari Nataraj is an Indian swimmer who would be making his Olympics debut this term, having qualified for Tokyo. He has become the second Indian after Sajan Prakash to seal qualification. Meanwhile, he admitted that his dream has come true.

India seems to be on a roll ahead of the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, especially in the poll of swimming. Meanwhile, Srihari Nataraj has become the second Indian swimmer to qualify for the global event.

He secured an A-mark Olympic Qualification Time during the 100m backstroke trail in Rome, with a timing of 53.77 seconds. Earlier, Sajan Prakash had become the first Indian to qualify in the same after securing an A-standard mark in the 200m butterfly category.

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Meanwhile, Nataraj's timing needed approval from the Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) since it was conducted at a request time trial after he had missed the original mark of 53.85 seconds. Later, it was confirmed by the Swimming Federation of India secretary Monal Chokshi that FINA had approved Natarj's timing and he would be joining Prakash in Tokyo.

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"The prodigal son is here. I'm going to push beyond my limits and go faster than everyone else. I don't give up, ever. My dream to represent India at the Olympics has come true. I will give my 100% at the Tokyo Games and make my country proud," he said in a video by the Sports Authority of India.

My dream to represent India at has come true, I will give my 100% at the games and make my country proud: , Second Indian swimmer to qualify for pic.twitter.com/fdY4KTzkhr

— PIB India (@PIB_India)

Speaking on the performance by Prakash, Nataraj said, "I'm very happy that he did it and it's a huge thing. He proved that it was possible, even at the age and all the injuries he went through. It was a motivation that I can do it too."

Meanwhile, SFI has nominated Prakash for the Arjuna Award reports ANI. Besides, Kamlesh Nanavati has been considered for the Dhyanchand Award.

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