Srihari Nataraj qualifies for Tokyo Olympics after FINA approves QT

India's Srihari Nataraj has officially qualified for Tokyo Olympics after FINA approved his 'A' standard qualification time in the men's 100m backstroke time trial at the Sette Colli Trophy in Rome.

India's Srihari Nataraj. - RITU RAJ KONWAR (FILE)

Srihari Nataraj has become the second Indian after Sajan Prakash to secure A-mark Olympic Qualification Time, after his time of 53.77s in a 100m backstroke time trial in Rome last weekend was ratified by FINA, the Swimming Federation of India announced on Wednesday.

Sajan had breached the A-mark in 200m butterfly on Saturday to become the first Indian ever to achieve the feat.

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Srihari’s timing required FINA’s approval because it was clocked at a requested time trial after the youngster had missed the A-mark (53.85s) by five hundredths of a second last Friday. The 20-year-old can now heave a sigh of relief and look forward to joining Sajan on the trip to Tokyo as Monal Chokshi, SFI Secretary, confirmed that Srihari’s name was on the FINA list, and that the official letter would arrive Thursday or later.

“I was very anxious but I was well distracted because we went around sightseeing in Rome,” said Srihari. “That distracted me for a couple of days but I was anxious and [it was] a big relief when I found out.”

Olympic qualification update! Srihari Nataraj Olympic qualification time of 53:77 swam in the time trial at the Sette Colli Trophy is affirmed by FINA. SFI had put forward its representation to FINA for this..Srihari joins Sajan Prakash as India's A qualification entry to Tokyo pic.twitter.com/kVE8orFyWp

— @swimmingfederationofindia (@swimmingfedera1) June 30, 2021

 

“There are three weeks left [for Tokyo] and there will be a lot of competition. The main goal is to get a better time. Based on past history and if I can drop [the time] a bit, I see myself making the semifinals. That is the goal,” Srihari added.