Indian rowers Arjun Lal Jat and Arvind Singh qualified for the Olympics in men’s lightweight double sculls event after finishing second in the final race of the Asia/Oceania Continental Qualifying Regatta in Tokyo on Friday.
Another Indian, Jakar Khan finished fourth in the men’s singles sculls final which offers five Olympic quotas but he missed out as a country gets only one qualifying spot from this regatta. The top three qualify for Olympics in men’s lightweight double sculls event.
“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.
Arjun Lal and Arvind will be the only Indian rowers in Tokyo Games 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.
The coach who went with the Team was Legendary Dalvir Singh. Incidentally he has represented India in World Championship. Great Show by Indian Team, Team Management consisting of RFI, selectors coaches and above all the athletes deserve compliments for a terrific show. I hope the mem tum will continue and the duo will make the history at Tokyo by bagging a medal.