Nethra Kumanan becomes the first Indian woman ever to win medal at a Sailing World Cup edition, after securing bronze in round 2 of the Hempel World Series.
The 22-year old from Chennai finished behind USA's Erika Reineke and Greek sailor Vasileia Karachaliou to won Bronze medal in Laser Radial Catageory.
Nethra has earlier finish 4th in Asian game in Laser Radial event misses the podium and Olympics quota by 16 points. Malaysia finish third in that event and obtain the Olympic quota as China and Japan was already qualified.
Here is the video of event by world Sailing
Nethra Kumanan eyeing Olympic Qualification from Asian Qualifications
Now after becoming first Indian women to win World cup medal her eyes will be on olympic quota via Asian Championship which will held in Abu Dhabi from March 15–22, 2020. This will be only chance to Nethra to qualify for Olympic.
Also read - Esow Alban won Gold in Historical 6 day cycling event in Berlin
As top country who finish ahead of her in Asian game already have quota place she will have great chance to obtain quota for India and become only Indian Women to get Olympic quota. Top two sailer from this event will get the Olympic spot.
She is currently 6th best sailer in Asia behind Sailer from Japan, Malaysia and China. Her world ranking is 79. Next best two Sailer are from Hongkong world number 104 and 105. After that there are Kamolwan Chanyim from Thailand who is world number 116.
So if we see according to ranking and recent performance, Nethra has decent chance to make it to olympic.
Apart from Nethra, in Men's 49er Ganapathy Kelapanda and Varun Thakkar who is currently Asian 3rd best Sailer according to Ranking will also has a chance to make it to olympic.
Indian pair has won bronze medal in recent Asian games. But only one quota is available in 2020 Asian Championship and Indian pair will have compitition from Hong Kong, Korea, Oman and China.
In women 49er FX and Mixed Nacra 17 where Indian has won medal at Asian game, Indian Sailors will try to grab quota but in these event compitition are very high as only one quota place are available.
