Kolkata: One of the swimmers over India, Sajan Prakash said closing all “nonsense” around it, confident and having a big support system was the key to his dream comeback and now he aims to compete in the final of the upcoming Tokyo game.
Keralaite was revealed by a neck injury that threatened a career in 2019 and the covid-19-induced locking only made it more challenging for him to qualify for the Olympics because the pool remained close.
However, the 27-year-old recorded 1:56:38 seconds at the 200m men’s butterfly event in Rome to become the first Indian swimmer to get direct Olympic qualifications.
“There are many comments, even before the kuncian I was old and I didn’t get any improvements,” Sajan said in virtual interactions organized by Sai.
“Keeping in addition, I think the important thing is the support system that is trusted to me.
My friends supported me and I didn’t lose hope in me.
I am 27 years old and a swimming event like this requires a lot of things.
Trust you.” “It’s all the work we do and we try to stay focused on our goals and stick into our business and don’t let nonsense go inside.
With that we can achieve it,” he said.
Asked about realistic targets in the match, he said, “I will say cut down 0.5 seconds again and it might be in this case and it will take 1: 55: 8, something will definitely take me to the semi-finals, and Maybe go to the final too.
“Sajan said he worked on the turn and tried to travel a deeper distance in one blow so it reduced the time.
“Exactly we have 20 days for the meeting.
We have done all the work before the qualification, it’s about doing small things.
I’m working on the turn, increasing more distance on one hit so that I reach the wall faster and.” I improve Speed ​​because I lacked the speed of the front hand.
I am sure to reduce more time so that it will give me the opportunity to be in the semi-finals and maybe in the final too, “he said.
Sajan first had signs of a neck injury during the sidelines of the world.
The championship in Gwangju in July 2019 but that Only in Nepal South Asian Games in December, scanning revealed the disc slip on his neck C4, C5 and C6 bones.
The rehabilitation was followed and his healing was hit with a lock because he could not get it into the pool after shifting to Thailand.
Forget breaking Olympic qualification marks 1: 56:48 seconds, it is difficult to manage even strokes in the hardest butterflies that need very large muscle strength and skills, but he still pays it without paying.
Heed for criticism around it.
“I basically have to start everything from the start.
I have to work on the basics so you want to qualify for other Olympics with pieces, it’s not the right thing to do and we have to run very short, “Remember.” We do small things missing.
With step by step, and with my own dedication, and from my coach, today I have succeeded.
“After Sajan, Srihari Nataraj also reached direct qualifications, when the 20-year-old recorded 53.77 seconds in the back style of a 100m man in Rome.
To make wounds.
India will also have the third swimmer, Maana Patel who has trimmed ‘universality quota’ like For the first time India will send three members to take part in the summer match.
Sajan said the lack of opportunity was the biggest obstacle to Indian progress.
“As for Indian swimmers worried, they did not lack talent but they did not have the opportunity to be consistent.
We only have two competitions in our senior swimmer and it’s not enough to go and test yourself all the time.
“” You need to have more competition in India.
At least one basic thing we need to have.
I think if it comes in and the government supports more in that direction and more sports and biomechanics that come to one goal.
I think there will be changes in the future.
“In my opinion, it’s not just a will, it is a package.
Sportsperson must have all the quality to be put together at that time.
This is a combined effort.
For me, it is a support system that brings me to this level,” he concluded.