Srihari Nataraj knows how to swim against the current. And that is why the ace India swimmer claims to have emerged a better person from the lockdown, which otherwise has turned the world topsy-turvy, certainly for most athletes who were robbed of practice while locked up at home.
Speaking from Dubai, where he is training along with Kushagra Rawat and Sajan Prakash, Srihari, 19, told The Telegraph: “Look, when the lockdown started, I told myself that there’s no point fretting and worrying. Instead, let me make the most of this time. And I did!
“I’ve never had a five-month break in my career and this was my first vacation in a decade.
“I put my feet up, watched movies all the time, slept a lot, learnt how to play the guitar and did sundry other things which I wanted to but never had the time for.
“The last season,” continued Srihari, “was very tiring and today, after the break, I am refreshed and a completely different person.
“We, the swimmers, have been requesting the government to open the pools. But the government must have had its reason to hold on to the permission. So, I saw no point in cribbing,” he added.
How is the training in Dubai, organised by the Sports Authority of India and Swimming Federation of India, going?
“The training is going well and am happy to be back where I belong — in the pool. I am gradually getting back to my peak. Here my hours of practice are the same as they were at home in Bangalore, two hours in the morning and two in the evening.
“The pool’s good… Not much can be different in this sport, can it be — a pool’s a pool,” he laughs.
The past five months, the backstroke specialist has been using the gym equipment he has at home to keep himself fit.
As for what the next step is after the two months in Dubai, Srihari is unsure. “We are trying to work things out but, as of now, cannot give you a definite plan.”
Srihari has breached the B qualification mark for the Olympics in the 100m backstroke and intends to achieve the A standard.
“For which I, naturally, have to swim faster,” he grins. “I am 19 now and in five months my physique has changed, I have grown a little taller. I’ll know exactly where I stand after I take part in a race or two.”
Srihari will have to achieve the A mark in a Fina accredited tournament, but he doesn’t know which one yet because no one is sure of the calendar right now. Till then, he knows what to do. Swim.
