The Swimming Federation of India (SFI) stated Indian girl swimmer Mana Patel’s participation within the Tokyo Olympics has been confirmed by ‘college quota’.
Mana will compete within the 100m backstroke on the Tokyo Games and is the third Indian swimmer to qualify after each Srihari Natraj and Sajan Prakash lately achieved Olympic Qualification Timing (OQT) ‘A’ stage.
Universality quotas permit one male and one feminine competitor from one nation to compete within the Olympics, offered no different swimmers of the identical gender qualify for the Games or obtain a FINA invitation primarily based on their Olympic choice time (B time). Don’t do it
“It’s an amazing feeling. I’ve heard about the Olympics from fellow swimmers and seen it on television and seen a lot of pictures,” Mana informed Olympic.com.
“But being there this time, competing with the best in the world, just gives me goosebumps.”
The 21-year-old suffered an ankle damage in 2019 and made a comeback earlier this yr.
“It was a tough year to come back from injury,” Mana admitted.
Backstroke swimmer Mana Patel has turn out to be the primary girl and third Indian swimmer to qualify #tokyo2020. I congratulate Mann, who certified by Universality Quota. Very good!! pic.twitter.com/LBHup0F7RK
— Kiren Rijiju (@Kiren Rijiju) 2 July 2021
“Although the pandemic and the lockdown was a blessing in disguise as it helped me recover well, but then it was frustrating. I am not used to being away from water for so long.”
Her first occasion of the yr was the Uzbekistan Open Swimming Championships in April, the place she clocked 1:04.47s for the gold medal within the 100m backstroke.
“I was happy with my time in Uzbekistan. Nothing great. But it was nice to be back in competitive racing and manage a 1:04. I knew I was on the right track.”
She lately participated in occasions in Serbia and Italy as a part of the Tokyo Games.
In the Belgrade occasion, she bettered her nationwide mark within the 100 m backstroke.
“One thing I made sure of was that I wanted to make the most of every opportunity. I had arranged my schedule. My intake was controlled. I didn’t want to leave anything to chance,” Mana stated.
“I clocked 1:03 in Belgrade, aiming to go 1:02 or less in Tokyo.”
With the Universality quota, which is not even a ‘B’ qualifying mark, Mana is aware of that for her the Olympics is extra about gaining expertise.
“I am not looking for much here, just experience swimming in the Olympics. The 2023 season is an important year for us. I see the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games as a real opportunity for a podium finish,” Mana stated.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
