Missing CWG motivates me to excel at Asian Games: Sandeep Sejwal

NEW DELHI: Decorated swimmer Sandeep Sejwal was left distraught when he did not recuperate from an ankle damage ahead of the qualifying event for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Sejwal had sustained the damage in February, and regardless of his power efforts, the 30-year-old couldn't reach 100 % health. Hoping to erase the sour reminiscences of 2014, where Sejwal finished 6th in 100m breaststroke semis, he had to extend his watch for a shot at redemption.

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Fast forward to June, and Sejwal is again in full swing preparing for the Asian Games 2018. A bronze medalist within the ultimate version, there may be an air of self belief surrounding him. In a chat with TOI, Sejwal opens up about the sadness of missing CWG and how it helps to keep him motivated to excel all the way through August's carrying extravaganza, in conjunction with a range of topics.

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Excerpts...

How are the arrangements for the Asian Games coming along?

I feel I am on target for the event, with the exception of the foot fracture that I sustained prior to the CWG trials. I am performed with my rehab so I'm preserving up assured. I am trying not to put too much drive on myself or rigidity about it. I have once received a medal at the Asian Games, so I know I will do it once more.

I'm going to just give my 100 % and revel in. In the process, if I win, it's going to be identical to a cherry on most sensible. I may no longer take part within the CWG, and that's something that has saved me motivated to do well at the Asian Games.

On that observe, missing the 2018 CWG must had been in reality disappointing...

I suffered a fracture in my foot so I had to leave out my trials. I was then going through my rehab so that I could be ready for the Asian Games. Fortunately, the foot is preserving up just nice and I'm again to my 100 %. We have out Asian Games trials coming up next month so I have began training as well. I'm in full blast training mode and doing better than previous.

What persuaded you to soak up swimming?

I have all the time been partial to person sports, and that is what were given me hooked to swimming at a tender age. The harder you teach, the more the effects you will have in your favour. You should not have to rely on 10 other members to win a fit. That was the primary reason I chose swimming; I never sought after to depend on someone.

Over the years, how much do you assume swimming has grown within the country?

Till two years again, we had the youngest workforce throughout all of the neighbouring international locations - be it the Asian Games or the Olympics. We had swimmers below the age of 20 representing the rustic, and all the ones young swimmers have lately reworked into skilled swimmers. Right now, the game is rising unexpectedly, and with organisations like Speedo coming in to promote and sponsoring the game, it's a large morale booster for the budding swimmers who both are successful medals or wish to at the international degree.

Have we advanced relating to infrastructure needed to excel in swimming?

See, we all the time had good infrastructure. The best assume missing was that we were not in a position to utilise it, as a result of there was just one swimming pool in Delhi which was at Talkatora Stadium and in every single place across the country we had been managing with the previous standard pool. Right now with the Padukone-Dravid academy and lots of other non-public golf equipment coming to the fold, the infrastructure is becoming out there to children. I hope this development helps to keep rising and expectantly this may occasionally lend a hand us and the game in years to come. The results are out there: We have 4 swimmers who've certified for the Asian Games. Earlier, we used to fight to get even two.

Sejwal with his bronze medal all the way through the 2014 Asian Games (Getty Images)

Do you give yourself a good chance at the Asian Games?

Yes, no doubt. With the ankle getting more potent and the kind of revel in I have, I might give myself a chance. That being mentioned, I would not be overconfident about it as a result of other swimmers are training similarly exhausting. Everyone has an even likelihood but I feel slightly assured of a medal end at the Asiad.

Who do you assume might be India's toughest opponent at the Asiad?

China is doing well so they will be the largest competitor, no longer only for India but for all of the teams participating. The other workforce I feel that may in reality sweat the opposition is Korea. So you need to be wary of these two aspects.

Has India absolutely embraced swimming as a aggressive recreation?

Like I mentioned, it is rising and has the potential to grow even additional. I also wish to mention that since this is the first time, first yr where two swimmers had been involved within the TOP scheme by means of the government - Sajjan Prakash and Shrihari Nataraj. So that is a large certain. Earlier, we would have never imagined a swimmer being given this kind of great treatment; neither had been they given any grants. So such tasks in reality lend a hand.

The two rising swimmers India need to pay attention in opposition to...

Shrihari is 18 years previous and is the youngest to qualify for the Asian Games; his timings are slightly spectacular. A time trial for the Asian Games in happening next month, so there might be slightly a couple of young swimmers who've a vivid long run ahead.

Who had been your idols whilst rising up?

Cameron van der Burgh. He's a former world file holder in my favorite event. I had once been to Austria to coach with the coach he used to coach with. Unfortunately, he wasn't to be had once I went there. I was there for three weeks in Austria, hoping that I might get a chance to coach with him. But that never took place.