You’ve got to earn everything, even motivation, says Sajan Prakash

By Subhayan Dutta, SportsCafe Editor

09/28/2019

Ace Indian swimmer Sajan Prakash, who had previously been to the Rio Olympics and is well acquainted with the magnanimity of what’s at stake, has stated that even motivation needs earning from repeated failures. His compatriot Virdhawal Khade also opened up about his daily training regime.

Apart from Shivani Kataria, Sajan Prakash was of one of India’s two representatives in the 2016 Summer Olympics as the nation was invited by International Swimming Federation (FINA). And while a 23-year-old Prakash was testing the waters back then in his first outing, he is now well aware of what being an Olympian means.

Prakash couldn’t reach the A-qualification mark in the Asian Age Group Championships on Thursday despite clinching the gold medal in the 200m butterfly as he fell short by 0.25 seconds after clocking 2:00.38. But, the Kerala man believes that it is these failures that would eventually get him success.

“Nothing comes easy here. You got to earn it, even the motivation. Motivation comes when you try many things and when you eventually fail in some. The failure is also the source of motivation and secret of success,” said the Speedo athlete in an exclusive interview with SportsCafe.

Time, however, is running out for the swimmer with the Olympic games less than a year away and the number of qualification tournaments only reducing from here on. However, with the timing target clear in mind, the path definitely looks clearer.

“My focus is to qualify in the 200m butterfly with an A cut and I’m doing every possible thing (for eg: racing under load and tough conditions) to get to it. So, when I get to the taper period I could achieve my best,” he said.

Getting motivation remains an easy task for his compatriot, Virdhawal Khade, as well who has done well in the championships with the latest medal being a silver medal in the 100m freestyle. The current record holder of five national records – 50m, 100m, 200m Freestyle and 50m, 100m Butterfly – Khade was the youngest Olympian from India in Beijing Games.

However, despite all the talent, the 28-year-old has failed to qualify for any of the Olympics since and missed his ‘A cut-off again this time. When asked if training gets any different with the qualification timing crystal clear, Khade says that the only thing changing is his hunger to get it.

“Whatever the target may be, the only thing that I can change is my approach towards training and my hunger to achieve my goals. My goals motivate me. The goals I had set for myself when I swam in Beijing 2008 are still the same,” he stated.

Breaking onto the world stage with his powerful strokes back in 2006 South Asian Games, Khade was widely anticipated to be the next big thing and change the swimming scene in India. And while he has only gone from strength to strength since then, his career took a screeching halt when he was posted as the revenue inspector of Sindhudurg.

“When I was posted in Sindhudurg, the work hours were long to begin with. There was no swimming pool or a usable gym in the entire district which didn't allow me to train, let alone stay fit,” recalls Khade.

However, the fastest ever Indian swimmer has since moved on and has gotten back his mojo. When asked to delve deep into his daily routine, Khade says, “I swim 7-9 am then gym 11-1 pm and swim again 4-6 pm. 5 days a week. Counting the warm-up, warm down and competition, I swim between 35-45 kilometres every week.”

While Khade has until June 29, 2020, to seal his Olympic berth, the event in Bengaluru was a golden chance for the swimmers to ride on the home support and get over the line.

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