Balraj earns Oly quota for India

WITH their best bet in single sculls, Satnam Singh, opting for double sculls ahead of the Asian Games last year, the Rowing Federation of India (RFI), at one stage, deliberated not to send an entry in that category.

- FIROZ MIRZA

Fortunately, the RFI president Rajlaxmi Singh Deo then decided to test freshers Balraj Panwar and Kulwinder Singh, both hailing from the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB). Balraj edged past Kulwinder in the best-of-three races to book a place in the national team for the showpiece continental event.

A sepoy with the Indian Army, Balraj narrowly missed bronze at the Asian Games finishing fourth but the experience he gained in Hangzhou paid off on Sunday as the 25-yearold from Karnal, Haryana earned an Olympic quota in single sculls at the Qualification Championships at Chungju, South Korea. He clocked 7:01.27 minutes to finish third in the 2000m race and seal the quota.