Asian Games 2018: Virdhawal Khade beats own National Record
India’s Virdhawal Khade marginally bettered his long-standing national record. This got him closer to his second Asian Games medal as he qualified for the men’s 50m freestyle final clocking 22.43s. This was the third fastest time in the heats.
Khade, who won a bronze at the Guangzhou Games in 2010. He was faced against Japan’s Shunichi Nakao (22.62) but emerged the fastest in the eight-man heat 5.
A new national record was set in the 50m freestyle. Virdhawal Khade bettered his own mark of 22.52, set in August 2009 at Asian Age group swimming championships in Japan. Overall, Khade was third behind China’s Hexin Yu (22.21) and Hong Kong’s Kenneth King Him To (22.38).
Anshul Kothari could not qualify for the final as he finished 28th with a timing of 23.83. He was fastest in heat 1.
Khade stated,”I am keeping fingers crossed but I think medal is within each. I have prepared well in the last one and a half years. It’s a sprint, so you never know what happens in final but I will give myself a chance. It’s possible.”
He also added,“The top two may be fitter than me but mentally I am stronger than them. I have experience and I will try to use it in the final.” “After 10 years, I am competing at such a big event. I was also at the CWG also but there, I could not perform to my potential. I had timed 23.11 there, so it is half a second fast. Hopefully, I will be able to cut down more and get a medal.”
Virdhawal Khade has truly made the nation and himself proud. His achievements have set a benchmark for India’s youth in the field of sports. We eagerly await a successful conclusion to Khade’s journey.
