Rowing
Rowers Arvind Singh and Arjun Jat qualify for the Tokyo Olympics
The Indian Lightweight Doubles Sculls pair of Arvind Singh and Arjun Lal Jat has qualified for the Tokyo Olympics after finishing second at the 2021 Asia and Oceania Olympic and Paralympic Rowing Qualifiers at Tokyo
The Indian Lightweight Doubles Sculls pair of Arvind Singh and Arjun Lal Jat has qualified for the Tokyo Olympics after finishing second at the 2021 Asia and Oceania Olympic and Paralympic Rowing Qualifiers at Tokyo.
The Indian duo clocked 6:36.92 in the final to finish second and book their ticket to Tokyo. Arvind and Arjun were only behind the Japanese pair who took the pole spot with a timing of 6:34.70.
While, on the other hand, Jakar Khan despite finishing fourth in Singles' Sculls has to miss out on Tokyo berth because the rules state each National Olympic Committee (NOC) can earn a maximum of one quota unless the multiple rowers finishes in top two.
Arvind Singh (Front) and Arjun Lal Jat (Back)
With the pair of Arvind and Arjun earning a silver medal; it was inevitable for Khan to repeat the feat, but he could finish only at the fourth spot with a timing of 7:10.42 and missed out on an Olympic qualification.
Japanese rower Arakawa Ryuta finished first in Singles Sculls with a timing of 7:01.59, while Nasiri Behman took the second spot clocking 7:08.98.
"A country can qualify in only one boat from this regatta and since Arjun Lal Jat and Arvind Singh had finished second in men's lightweight double sculls, they will qualify," Rowing Federation of India president Rajlaxmi Singh Deo told PTI. "Jakar Khan finished fourth in men's singles sculls and unfortunately, he will not qualify for Olympics. Arjun Lal and Arvind Singh were better placed as they were second," she added.
Arjun Lal and Arvind will be the only Indian rowers in Tokyo Games which open on July 23 as the country will not participate in other Olympic qualifiers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "There is another Olympic qualifier in Italy but we are not sending anybody due to the COVID-19 situation. So, this will be our only participation in the Olympics," Deo said referring to the deadly second wave in the country which has led to several countries imposing bans on flights from India. A 14-member Indian team participated in the event held at the Sea Forest Waterway on Tokyo Bay.
