Sajan Prakash: Indias First Swimmer to Qualify Directly for the Olympics

New Delhi, September 13 (Daily Kiran) : Sajan Prakash has made history as the first Indian swimmer to qualify directly for the Olympics. Born on September 14, 1993, in Idukki, Kerala, his journey in swimming began at the age of five, thanks to the influence of his mother, Shanthimol, a former track and field athlete. She worked at a facility that had a swimming pool, sparking Sajan’s passion for the sport.

In his early years, Sajan showcased his talent, earning the full support of his family to pursue swimming. He joined the Neyveli City Swimming Club in Tamil Nadu and later moved to Bengaluru to train under renowned coach Pradeep Kumar.

Initially focusing on short-distance events, Sajan shifted his attention to longer courses upon his coach’s advice. He trained diligently for the 200-meter butterfly event. His breakthrough came in 2014 when he participated in the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games. The following year, he made a remarkable impact at the National Games, winning eight medals, including six golds and two silvers. At the Asian Games in Guwahati, he clinched three gold medals in the 200-meter butterfly, 1500-meter freestyle, and 4×200-meter relay events.

Sajan represented India at the 2016 Rio Olympics, finishing 28th in the heats of the 200-meter butterfly. His achievements continued to grow, as he broke three national records in the 100-meter backstroke, 200-meter butterfly, and 200-meter freestyle at the 2021 Sete Colli Trophy in Rome.

In recognition of his contributions to swimming, Sajan was honored with the Arjuna Award in 2024.