Khelo India University Games: Taker swimmer Srihari Natraj, Shiva Sridhar want to be a dream team in Asian Games- On Thursday, the Chancellor of Jain University, Dr. Chenraj Raichand Jain, was in a festive mood at a dinner hosted for their champion swimmers who topped the organizers’ medal list with 16 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze rich medals. Ongoing Khelo India University Games 2021. FAllow more updates with InsideSport.IN ৷
The two champions whose performances at the prestigious event were enjoying a fantastic vegetarian meal: Olympian Srihari Natraj and his contemporary Shiva Sridhar. “I need traditional ice cream after every race,” Srihari shouted, looking at Shiva who nodded in agreement.
Also read Boris Becker’s trial day: Tennis legend Wimbledon wears tie on court, could face up to 7 years in prison for bankruptcy trial – follow live updates
“We both usually have a big scoop of ice cream after our race, it’s been a habit for many years,” said Shiva, who won a total of seven gold and two silver medals. On the other hand, Srihari won six gold and one silver.
Two swimmers: enemies in the pool but dear friends have been keeping a close eye on each other’s success since 2008. “I met Shiva in 2008 during a swimming life competition for non-medals. He beat me in all the events, ”Srihari recalled vividly and quickly added that he had beaten him in the same event the following year.
Khelo India University Games: Taker swimmer Srihari Natraj, Shiva Sridhar wants to be a dream team in Asian Games
The last few years have seen a healthy rivalry between the two, be it sub-junior nationals, junior nationals or senior nationals. “I think by 2014, he will have beaten me in almost all backstroke events. This was our main event: 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke. Horse racing was always close, ”Srihari recalled.
From criticizing each other’s performances to arguing about who was the best in the race, from praising their race to exchanging notes during their training sessions, the pair engaged in endless chat while out on the water.
“We are fighting in the pool but when we are out, we are really good friends. We have known each other’s families for a long time and this has always been a healthy competition, “explained Shiva, who is on his way to winning the title of individual champion at KIUG 2021 with the most medals.
Khelo India University Games: Taker swimmer Srihari Natraj, Shiva Sridhar wants to be a dream team in Asian Games
Although Shiva is calm and likes to listen, Srihari is not like to stop blabbering. Srihari often said with unreasonable advice, “Sometimes he doesn’t plan his race. He opens very quickly and finishes slowly in his finishing but I think he was really good here in most of his races, especially the 200m IM (where Shiva set a new meet record). “
“Sometimes he gives me very good advice and sometimes he makes me work so I ignore him,” Shiva smiled in response to Srihari’s advice.
But introspecting on his own performances over the past few years, especially as he is the youngest Olympic qualifier on the clock, Shiva says: “I think I lost precious years when I chose to go to the Olympics. South Africa for three years on a swimming scholarship in April 2015. I was homesick; I got very fat and I came back much slower.
When I saw Srihari at the 2017 Junior National Championships in Pune, I thought, Wow! He is far ahead of me. It was only when it came to me that things were not working out for me in South Africa that I became a hit and a plate and decided to return to India for good. When I came back, I still did not qualify for nationality. It was bad and I had to work hard to get it back. “
Khelo India University Games: Taker swimmer Srihari Natraj, Shiva Sridhar wants to be a dream team in Asian Games
Now playing catch-up, Shiva has gained tremendous confidence from his performance at the Khelo India University Games 2021 here to improve his game in the coming months where he will be competing in various events including the Senior National. , Where Shiva will try to make a mark for the Asian Games.
“I’m taking a lot out of my performance here at KIUG. It was reassuring to know that I still had it to cut for the Asian Games, where I would like to enter the 100m backstroke with the already qualified Hari (Srihari). ” Shiva says 6
“It would be nice if he could really qualify for the Asian Games and if we could both swim in the 100m backstroke like in the old days. Now, he has to cut a backstroke of 100 meters in about 1.5 seconds and there is also a chance at 200 meters IM and I think he can do it, “said Srihari.
Khelo India University Games: Taker swimmer Srihari Natraj, Shiva Sridhar wants to be a dream team in Asian Games
Follow InsideSport on GOOGLE NEWS
