Srihari Nataraj clocked 53.77s in the men's 100m backstroke at the Sette Colli Trophy.
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Sajan Prakash sealed the ‘A’ cut for Tokyo Olympics in men’s 200m butterfly. Now, Srihari Nataraj breached the A standard time for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. Srihari Nataraj clocked 53.77s in the men’s 100m backstroke at the Sette Colli Trophy.
Eventhough, Srihari has manged to breach the time, it will up to FINA to decide whether he qualifies for the Games or not.
Nataraj was very close to breaking the A standard in the same event. However, he missed it by 0.05 seconds after an effort of 53.90 seconds.
Srihari Nataraj’s breach was in the time trial. The ace swimmer has created a new national record. It is enough to achieve the ”A” mark for the Tokyo Games set at 53.85s.
In time trials, swimmers do not compete against other rivals but they get a chance to better their timing. The Bengaluru swimmer gave the time trial on the last day for the Olympic qualification.
“Srihari Nataraj swam a 53.77 seconds in the time trial for 100m backstroke achieving the A qualification time for Tokyo 2020. His time achieved in the time trial shall be sent to FINA by the host federation along with the regular meet results,” the Swimming Federation of India (SFI) said in a statement.
However, the time needs to be officially approved by FINA, the world body of aquatics.
“It will be for FINA to accept the result from the time trial at an approved qualification event; it is done routinely at many accredited meets; as in the recent case of the US Olympics team trials for the 400m freestyle event.”
“We are very excited with the A cuts achieved by both our swimmers. And hope this result will be considered by FINA for Srihari to join Sajan Prakash as a direct qualification (A cut) entry for Tokyo 2020,” SFI Secretary General Monal Chokshi said.
If Nataraj’s time is confirmed, it’ll be for the first time that two Indian swimmers will take part in the Games.
The Games ‘A’ standard was set at 1:56.48 seconds. And the 27-year-old Prakash was 0.10 seconds faster at the FINA-accredited Olympic qualifier.
“I have worked very hard for this. And I was confident with the way I had trained,” Prakash was quoted as saying in a press release.
“This was my last chance, and I knew I had to do it here. Had come so close to the qualifying mark in the previous meets. But my Coach Pradeep Sir and I planned my tapering in such a way that I would peak at these two events in Serbia and Rome.”
