Sajan Prakash


Sajan Prakash is an Indian swimmer who specialises in freestyle, butterfly and medley events. He represented India at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the 200 m butterfly event. He is the Indian national record holder in 200 m butterfly event with a time of 1:56.38. Sajan is currently training with Aqua Nation Sports Academy based in Dubai.

Personal life

Sajan Prakash hails from Idukki district of Kerala. He was raised in Neyveli, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu. His mother V.J.Shantymol is also a former athlete and has represented India in several national and international events. He started training at the Neyveli Lignite City Swimming Club, Neyveli, Tamil Nadu. He did his schooling in St. Paul's Matriculation Higher Secondary School, NLC Boys Higher Secondary School, Jawahar Higher Secondary School, Neyveli, Tamil Nadu. He completed his graduation in computer applications from Annamalai University, Chidambaram. He later joined the Kerala Police as a Commanding Officer. A pool, named after him, was opened in Neyveli.

Career

In the Sette Colli Trophy in Rome, Sajan Prakash makes history as he became the first Indian swimmer, where he breached the Olympic qualification by just 10 milliseconds in the 200m butterfly event.
He won the gold medal in the men's 200m butterfly event at the FINA-accredited Olympic Qualifying event.

Olympics

Sajan finished at 28th position in the 200m butterfly event at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Sajan finished at 24th position in the 200m butterfly event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Sajan finished at 46th position in the 100m butterfly event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with a timing of 53:45.

Asian Games

At the 2018 Asian Games, Prakash participated in 100m and 200m butterfly, Freestyle Relay, and Freestyle Relay. Prakash finished at 5th position in 200m Butterfly clocking timing of 1:57.75 and in the Freestyle relay, he finished at 8th position in the finals.

Commonwealth Games

Prakash finished 8th in the finals of the 200m butterfly event at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Achievements

  • Won gold medal in 100m butterfly stroke and silver medal in 200m freestyle at 36th National Games held in Gujarat.
  • Won 6 gold medals and 3 silver medals at the 35th National Games, held in Kerala India and won the Best Athlete award of 2015.
  • Only Indian male swimmer to participate at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
  • Won a silver medal in the 100m butterfly category at the 2017 Asian Indoor Games, held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
  • Holds 10 national, 3 South Asian and 1 Asian records in various categories.
  • First Indian swimmer to qualify for finals at the 2018 Asian Games in 200m Butterfly in 32 years.
  • First Indian swimmer to breach the FINA "A" Olympic qualification time.
  • First Indian Swimmer to qualify for two consecutive Olympics .