2021 Tokyo Olympics | Swimmers Sajan Prakash and Srihari Nataraj create history, earn direct qualification

As usual, the SFI (Swimming Federation of India) had already nominated two names for the University Places, as per the latest FINA rankings – Srihari Nataraj (Men) and Maana Patel (Women). However, for the first time, the university quota won’t be required as Sajan Prakash became the first Indian swimmer to earn a direct qualification for the Olympics by breaching the A-mark in his staple 200m butterfly event.

Sajan, who attained the rare feat at the Sette Colli Trophy, in Italy, clocked 1:56:38 in the event, which was 10 seconds faster than the Olympic A-mark of 1:56:48. His qualification initially meant that Srihari Nataraj won’t be able to qualify for the Olympics via the University quota. 

However, a day after the incredible achievement, Srihari also breached the A-qualification mark by clocking 53.77 seconds in the men’s 100m backstroke event. Technically, the Bengaluru-based swimmer is through to the mega-event but is still awaiting formal confirmation from FINA.