In swimming, time is considered a national record when it has been achieved at the National Aquatic Championships.Īs a result, the time allotted for other meetings is called ‘India’s Best Time’. The times saved and recorded at the conference, which is competing in the 25m swimming pool, are different from what happened in the past.Ī short meet at the competition in the 25-meter pool, while the 50-meter pool is called a long course. This is Nataraj’s second ‘India’ Best Time ‘in the series, a Bengaluru swimmer raised his profile in the 100m backstroke on opening day. However, Srihari, who competed in the Tokyo Games after becoming India’s second swimmer after Sajan Prakash broke his Olympic qualification qualification, was unable to make it to the semifinals where the top 16 swimmers compete. We also have many experienced swimmers in the squad who have been motivating their younger compatriots so in that sense the entire team is geared up physically and mentally for the event, says Pradeep. The 20-year-old played the 24.40s in the men’s 50m backstroke to finish 26 in all heat. Sajan Prakash, Srihari Nataraj have good chance of making ‘A’ cut for 2020 Tokyo: S Pradeep Kumar.
Prakash will take part in the Tokyo Games alongside Maana Patel, who has been nominated via Universality quota by the SFI.Įarlier in the day, Kenisha Gupta set the best Indian performance in the 100m freestyle event with a time of 57.35s.Indian Ace swimmer Srihari Nataraj set off a ‘best time for India’ at the FINA short course international, but it was not enough to get him to the semifinals of the 50m backstroke event here on Saturday. I feel Srihari also should have got it, I feel FINA should invite him also. These guys (Prakash and Nataraj) were complimenting each other and they were very friendly. "It's was a big pressure and motivation as well. Swimming Federation of India's nomination had nominated Srihari Nataraj, who agonisingly missed out on the A qualification mark in 100m backstroke by 0.05 seconds on Friday, for the Universality quota. What this means is that Olympic qualification through Universality places is no longer valid. Swimmer Sajan Prakash created history and became an overnight sensation, as he became the first Indian swimmer to secure an A standard in swimming, and therefore qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics.He did so by clocking a time of 1:56.38 min in the 200m butterfly, also creating the national record. The glass ceiling has been broken and this will inspire the next generation." "I'm at a loss for words on Sajan's performance. "This is a fantastic, historic day for Indian swimming," said SFI secretary Monal Chokshi. That's what we thought but he made the time." "The first 100 was a bit faster that we expected, but last 50 went slower. It creates the belief in other simmers that they can do this too, that is the major take away from this. EventTimePool LengthAgeCompetitionMen 50 Freestyle22.7425m24FINA/airweave Swimming World Cup 2017Men 100 Freestyle52.4525m2815th FINA World Swimming Championship.Men 200 Freestyle01:46.6125m2815th FINA World Swimming Championship. For Sajan to do two Olympics as well, is great. "It's not a small one, it's a dream for people in India (to make the 'A' cut).
"It's a real achievement for the boy," said Pradeep Kumar, Prakash's coach. The 27-year-old, who represented India in the 2016 Rio Olympics, made the Tokyo Games 'A' standard, set at 1:56.48 seconds, by 0.1 seconds. The Kerala swimmer had earlier made the B qualification time in both 100m and 200m butterfly event and was in good form coming into the final. Sajan Prakash creates history, becomes first-ever Indian swimmer to make Olympic 'A' cut. The 27-year-old's previous best was 1:56.96, which he achieved in Belgrade a week ago. No Indian swimmer had ever made the A cut before and Prakash, who represented the country in Rio five years ago, clocked 1:56.38 in 200m butterfly - his pet event - to breach the A cut time of 1:56.48. Sajan Prakash became the first swimmer from the country to breach the Olympic Qualification Time (A cut) in swimming as he capped the qualification period with an outstanding performance in the Sette Colli Trophy in Rome, Italy on Saturday.