Sajan Prakash became the first-ever Indian swimmer to make the ‘A’ cut for the Olympics. Prakash clocked an impressive 1:56.38 in the 200m butterfly event to beat the automatic qualifying mark of 1:56.48 for the Tokyo Olympics 2020. In the process, Prakash also set a new national record with his feat at the Sette Colli Trophy in Rome.
In 2018, he had become the first Indian swimmer to qualify for the finals of the 2018 Asian Games in the 200m Butterfly event in 32 years. He has a total of eleven national swimming records to his name across various categories and is all set to be India’s biggest medal hope in swimming at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
Kerala Police tweeted about the 26-year-old swimmer’s achievement on its official handle and said that it was “a proud moment” for the country.
Sajan Prakash, Armed Police Inspector in Kerala Police, qualified for the Olympics with the A cut time 1.56.38 in 200m butterfly in Rome today. He becomes the first Indian swimmer to represent India, in the Olympics and to qualify with an A cut. A proud moment the country. pic.twitter.com/vWj61guusX
— Kerala Police (@TheKeralaPolice) June 26, 2021
Industrialist Anand Mahindra also congratulated Sajan Prakash for his achievement.
Amazing. Bravo Sajan! Hope this signals a new era of participation by Indians in the top rungs of the sport. And I’m particularly envious. I’ve been swimming since childhood but still haven’t mastered the rhythm of the Butterfly stroke! Anyone with some tips to make it easier? https://t.co/opykBoIQ6V
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) June 26, 2021
