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SPORTS JULY 02, 2021 | The Indian Eye 48

Olympics debut, was very hap- “I think we are heading into
py with her learnings from the the Olympics in good shape
three-session, “These have been and form, the horses have been
very interesting. I learnt a lot placed in the last two competi-
about Japan and about the ex- tions that we have done which
pectations once I arrive there, I are in the Olympic level, that
am really excited as this is going shows that they are in good
to be my first Olympics,” she form and we are looking to do
said. something good at the Tokyo
Ace athlete of the Indian Olympics,” he added.
Navy, MP Jabir, has qualified Mirza had won a quota for
for the Tokyo Olympics in 400m the Tokyo Olympics in 2019 it-
hurdles after he clocked 49.78s self, but the coronavirus pan-
to win gold at the recently con- demic and the cancellation of
cluded Inter-State Athletiss events globally meant that he
Shamrionshirs in Ratiala. Jabir could only complete the Mini-
qualified through the World mum Eligibility Requirements
ranking quota where there are for the Olympics in May this
14 spots available. The 25-year- year. He managed to do that at
old Naval sailor hails from Baborowko in Poland, finishing
Malappuram, Kerala. He is cur- second on Seigneur Medicott
rently ranked 34th in the World and third with Dajara 4.
Athletics’ Road to Olympics
rankings where 40 athletes qual- With less than 30 days to
ify. “When he competes in the
Tokyo Olympics, Jabir would be go for the Tokyo Olympic
the first Indian male athlete to Games, the Olympic fe-
participate in the 400m hurdles Athlete MP Jabir
in Olympics,” read an official ver is engulfing the entire
statement. sporting world. While the
PT Usha, the legendary ath-
lete from Kerala competed in Indian athletes carry out
the 400 m hurdles at the Los their high-octane practice
Angeles Olympics. That makes
Jabir, the second from the state sessions, the hockey fans
to compete in the same event are reliving the memories
in Olympics. Jabir has partici-
pated in many national and in- from the triumphant Olym-
ternational athletic champion- pic campaigns in the past.
ships representing the Indian
Navy and the Services earning
many laurels. The athlete is in The fiery centre-forward BP
the final stages of preparation Govinda went on a nostalgic
for the Tokyo Olympics. The trip, fondly talking of his hay
Inter-State Meet was the last days as an iconic figure with
Olympic qualification event for a distinctive headband. “Our
the Tokyo Games. coach KD Singh Babu made
India equestrian Fouaad me play as outside-left in the
Mirza on Thursday said he is Bronze Medal match against
entering the 2020 Tokyo Olym- the Netherlands,” recalled the
pics in good shape and form, stylish striker in the fifth article
and he is confident of achieving of Hockey India’s Flashback
a special feat at the Games. Series “All through the tourna-
Mirza had earlier won a sil- ment in Munich, I had played as
ver medal at both the individual equestrian player Fouaad Mirza centre-forward, but our coach
eventing and team eventing at insisted I change my position for
the 2018 Asian Games. “With much as compared to the com- and so competitions were af- this match, and it so happened
the Covid-19 pandemic around, petitions and preparation com- fected by the Covid-19 pandem- that I scored the equaliser and
yes my training was affected, petitions for qualification for ic,” said Mirza while replying to then Mukhbain Singh scored
but that was last year and to- Olympics, those were affected. an ANI query during a virtual the winning goal through a pen-
wards the beginning of this year. Shows could not be organised press conference organised by alty corner which helped us win
The training was not affected as due to lockdown restrictions Embassy Group. the match 2-1,” he added.

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