Kerala Athletes Manu Francis and Prince Noble Return Home to a Heros Welcome After Asian Games Silver

Nedumbassery, October 16 (Daily Kiran) : Manu Francis and Prince Noble, the talented Malayali athletes who secured a silver medal in sailing at the Asian Games, received a warm welcome upon their return to Kerala’s Nedumbassery Airport. Family members, friends, and local dignitaries, including the head of the Varapuzha Panchayat, Viju Chullikad, were present to celebrate their achievement.

The athletes shared that they faced numerous challenges during the final race, which ultimately led to their silver medal victory. Strong winds caused by a cyclone, minor errors, and technical issues with their boat made the competition particularly tough. At one point, they slipped to fourth place but managed to reclaim their position in a thrilling final performance. Despite tying in points with the third-place team, their finishing position earned them the silver medal.

Residing in Ernakulam, Manu Francis and Prince Noble triumphed in the men’s sailing skiff category, finishing with 23 net points over nine races.

The duo expressed their passion for sailing, highlighting it as an exciting sport with plenty of opportunities for advancement. They encouraged others to take up sailing, emphasizing the pride their success brings to both the nation and Kerala.

Prince Noble remarked on the level of competition they faced, noting that their group included not just one, but two Olympians who had previously represented their countries, with one even winning a World Cup. “We had a strong lead at the beginning of the final day, but after the third race, it felt like we were falling behind. We nearly dropped to fourth place, but we trusted our training and executed our strategy effectively. Thanks to divine grace, we finished the race in a way that secured us the silver medal,” he said.