Srihari Nataraj steps into Tokyo Olympic after FINA approves QT

Indian swimmer Srihari Nataraj qualifies for Tokyo Olympics on Wednesday after sport’s world governing body FINA proved his ‘A’ standard qualification time in the men’s 100m backstroke time trial at the Sette Colli Trophy in Rome.

The SAI Media tweeted, “Srihari Nataraj becomes the second Indian swimmer to qualify for Tokyo 2020. His timing of 53.77 in a men’s 100m backstroke time trial in Rome last week has been ratified. The qualification mark was 53.85. Many Congratulations.” Srihari joins Sajan Prakash as India’s A qualification entry to Tokyo.

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Nataraj also had set a new national record besides getting involved to achieve the ‘A’ mark for the Tokyo Olympics set at 53.85 seconds. In time trials, swimmers do not compete with rivals, they break their timing. It will be the first time when two Indian swimmers will take part in Summer Games after achieving a direct qualification. Sajan Prakash is the first-ever Indian swimmer to breach the Olympic A standard in the men’s 200m butterfly in the same event.

Sajan has chased the 2010 Asian Games Virdhawal Khade’s record of 1:49.86 seconds. The Tokyo Olympics is will be the first Olympic for Nataraj and it will be the second appearance for Prakash at the extravaganza, having represented India in Rio Olympics in 2016. Along with the swimmers, there are 100 athletes more participating in the Tokyo Olympics which is starting from July 23 and ending on 8th August.