A step closer to the Olympics, Calcutta boy Anush Agarwalla is now only focused on getting himself, atop Sir Caramello OLD, to qualify for this year’s Games.
The equestrian on Monday clinched a quota in the dressage event at this year’s Paris Games, making it the first time ever that an Indian rider will be participating in the event at the Olympics.
Though what he has earned the country now is a quota — the rider who qualifies will go through to Paris — the La Martiniere alumnus stays confident that he is the one who will be riding in Paris.
“I believe in myself, my horse (Sir Caramello OLD is the one he will be riding), my coach and my whole team,” Anush told The Telegraph from his base in Paderborn, Germany, on Thursday.
“I am confident that we will reach our goals in the future, the most immediate aim being to remain focused, qualify and be present in Paris.”
Anush was a part of the quartet that bagged the country’s first-ever Asian Games dressage gold in Hangzhou in September. He went on to bag a bronze in the individual dressage event too, another Asiad first for the country.
“Such are the moments a sportsman lives for and I am grateful that I have been able to experience it,” the Arjuna awardee said. “It has been my childhood dream to represent my country at the Olympics and now that the dream is nearing fulfilment, I cannot put my emotions into words.”
