Nationwide Video games: Srihari, Sajan reset objectives in new season

Srihari and Prakash have performed an vital position in taking Indian swimming ahead. With a brand new season starting they’ve returned refreshed and have set their eyes on completely different targets.

With the expertise of two Olympics behind him, Srihari needs so as to add 200m freestyle to his backstroke occasions. The 23-year-old has dominated backstroke at residence and holds three nationwide information. On the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Video games, Srihari additionally broke the nationwide document in 200m freestyle, clocking 1:49.05 to complete tenth general. That has given him a unique perspective to his swimming.

“I’m going to give attention to freestyle this time. The 200m free goes to be my essential occasion together with 50m and 100m backstroke. I’ve a number of issues in thoughts and have to plan,” Srihari advised HT.

“I had an excellent freestyle season in 2021. In 2023 too I used to be very constant. I had a superb Asian Video games. I’m simply having fun with it. I prepare in freestyle a lot better that backstroke. So, I’m simply including it to my roster; I’ve seen it helps my backstroke as nicely.”

On the 2022 Commonwealth Video games in Birmingham, he certified for the 50m and 100m backstroke finals and broke the 200m backstroke nationwide document clocking 2:00.84.

“Lots of issues wanted to be labored on within the new cycle. I didn’t have an incredible 2024. I’m going to make a number of modifications. I have to execute my races slightly higher. I’ve no ideas in regards to the Los Angeles Olympics proper now. There’s plenty of time forward. I’ll plan until the (2026) Asian Video games and CWG – they’re coming across the similar time. For this season, it’s the World College Video games after which we now have the Asian swimming championships.

“I’m proud of my performances right here. I had some good swims, it’s not been lengthy since I acquired again into full coaching so I’m happy with the way in which issues are going right here,” stated Srihari, who received the 200m freestyle clocking 1:50.57.

Lot extra to show: Sajan

The five-month break has helped Sajan Prakash rejuvenate. Coming off a shoulder damage, he’s not pushing himself on the pool. On Day 1, Sajan completed third in 100m butterfly (54.52s). Tamil Nadu’s Rohit Benediction received in 53.89 seconds and Maharashtra’s Mihir Ambre took second in 54.24secs. However Sajan roared again to win his pet 200m butterfly on Saturday with a timing of two:01.40 secs, leaving his rivals far behind. Sajan’s nationwide mark is 1:59.38.

The 31-year-old says his profession is way from over, and that he nonetheless has swimming left in him. Ending on the rostrum on the 2026 Asian Video games in Japan is on the prime of his thoughts.

“The 100m fly on the primary day, it harm a bit as a result of I couldn’t win. However with the quantity of coaching that I did, I’m proud of the timing. It’s solely three weeks since I began coaching. I needed to drop a few pounds – six kg – and comeback, which is difficult. Folks from exterior don’t actually see what it takes to come back again. They simply see that my profession is over as a result of I received a bronze. However I’m completely satisfied.”

Whereas the 2 champion swimmers have renewed their objectives, others have to catch up. Srihari feels the youthful lot must push them on the pool.

“We noticed main enchancment going into Tokyo with Sajan, myself, Kushagra (Rawat). What we now have not seen is anyone taking on us up to now 4 years. Sajan and myself have comfortably held our spots up there.”