The Olympic Games would be held this year in Tokyo after being postponed last year. As usual, the sport of sailing would be a part of it and India would be taking part in it, with four sailors having sealed their spots. The event would be held from July 23 to August 8
Bengaluru: In another great news for the Indian Olympic contingent, four sailors have sealed their spot for the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Nethra Kumanan, Vishnu Saravanan, Ganapathy Chengappa and Varun Thakkar are the four to have qualified for the event.
The men performed to their fullest in the Asian Qualifiers in Oman. As a result, India would be competing in three sailing events for the first time, having competed in just one to date, with two Indians representing on four instances.
"Yes, history has been scripted. Four Indian sailors have qualified for the Olympics to compete in three events. It's the maximum number of sailors qualified and also in a number of events. Nethra already qualified on Wednesday and today Vishnu and then, the pair of Ganapathy and Varun made it," said Capt Jitendra Dixit, joint secretary general of Yachting Association, reports PTI.
"Till Wednesday, Vishnu was third behind the Thai sailor though both were on the same points. Today, in the medal race, Vishnu finished first and so, naturally, he ended above the Thai sailor in the points table. Two sailors qualify for the Olympics in the Laser class and Vishnu finished second. The Singapore sailor was well above Vishnu before today and so, Vishnu could not dislodge him," he added.
Saravanan sealed his spot on Thursday after finishing second in Laser Standard Class. He was followed by the pair of Chengappa and Thakkar, finishing on the top of the 49er Class. Meanwhile, Nethra had qualified on Wednesday in the laser radial performance during the Mussanah Open Championship, thus becoming the first Indian women's sailor to qualify for the same.
Indian sports minister Kiren Rijiju congratulated each of the qualifying sailors on social media.
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