New Delhi: Indian female swimmers Maana Patel’s participation at the Tokyo Olympics have been confirmed through the ‘Universality Quota’, said the Indian Swimming Federation (SFI).
Maana will take part in the back style of the 100m in the Tokyo game and is the third Indian swimmer who qualifies after Srihari Nataraj and Sajan Prakash reaching Olympic qualifying timings (OQT) ‘A’ recently.
Universality quota allows one male and one female competitor from a country to participate in the Olympics, provided that no other swimmers from the same gender are eligible for the game or receive a Fina invitation based on the Olympic election time (B Time).
“It’s an extraordinary feeling.
I have heard about the Olympics from fellow swimmers and watching it on television and seeing lots of pictures,” said Maana to Olympics.com.
“But to be there this time, competing with the best in the world, just giving me a shiver.” The 21-year-old player sustained an ankle injury in 2019 and only made a comeback earlier this year.
“It was a difficult year to return after injury,” Maana admitted.
“Even though the pandemic and lock is a blessing hidden because it helps me recover well, but then frustration creeps in.
I am not used to staying away from the water all this time.” His first event this year was the Uzbek Pool Championship in April, where he recorded 1: 04.47 seconds for the gold medal in the back style of 100m.
“I am happy with my time in Uzbekistan.
Nothing is great.
But to return to racing and 1:04 competitive management it’s good.
I know I’m on the right track.” He just took part in events in Serbia and Italy as tune up for Tokyo’s match.
On the Belgrade event, he improved his national sign in the back style of 100m.
“One thing I’m satisfied is that I want to take advantage of every occasion.
I have my schedule organized.
My intake is controlled.
I don’t want to leave something for the opportunity,” said Maana.
“I clocked 1:03 in Belgrade, the target will go 1:02 or lower in Tokyo.” With universality quota that is not even a qualification sign of ‘B’, Maana knows that the Olympics are more about getting experience.
“I’m not looking for a lot here, just a swimming experience at the Olympics.
The 2023 season is an important year for us.
I see the Commonwealth and Asian Games games as a real opportunity to complete the podium,” said Maana.