Swimmer Srihari focused on preparation, not competitors

Srihari Nataraj

Ace India swimmer Srihari Nataraj said on Sunday that he was focusing on his preparations rather than worrying about how tough the competition would be at the Tokyo Olympics beginning July 23.

Nataraj had shattered the Tokyo Olympics qualification time in men's 100m backstroke during time trial at the Sette Colli Trophy in Rome last month, clocking 53.77 seconds, which was faster than the Olympic qualification time of 53.85 seconds.

"The competition at the Tokyo Olympics will be tough, I am not thinking about it. But, I am preparing," the ace swimmer told IANS.

Surprisingly, Nataraj, a backstroke specialist, says he does not enjoy the event much. "However, my best performance is in backstroke. So, I have started focusing on it since the age of 11 years," he said.

Nataraj, 20, always wanted to take part in international swimming competitions from a very young age. "The ambition to become a champion was always there. When I was 12, I was dreaming of participating in international competitions. "I have been working with coach Nihar Amin since I was 12. He has the experience of working with so many Olympians," Nataraj said.

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