Indian Sailor Vishnu Sarvanan Wins Bronze at Asian Games

Indian Sailor Vishnu Sarvanan Wins Bronze at Asian Games

Seizing Bronze in a Gruelling Competition

Vishnu Sarvanan, a seasoned sailor who represented India in the Tokyo Olympics, recently added another feather to his cap by securing a bronze medal in the men’s dinghy ILCA-7 event at the Asian Games. Despite the challenging 11-race competition, Sarvanan managed to achieve a net score of 34. Notably, he missed out on the silver medal by a mere single point.

The silver medal was won by South Korea’s Jeemin HA, who scored 33 points, whereas the gold medal was claimed by Singapore’s Jun Han Ryan Lo, who achieved a net score of 26. In sailing competitions, the final score is determined by subtracting the competitor’s worst score from their total points. The competitor with the lowest net score is declared the winner.

Sarvanan’s total score was 48 points. His worst race turned out to be the eighth one, where he retired, resulting in a deduction of 14 points from his score.

Sarvanan’s Sailing Journey

Having been born on February 24, 1999, in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India, Sarvanan has been making waves in the sailing world since his youth. His journey in sailing began with multiple wins at junior national events, leading to him becoming a youth national champion in 2016.

Recognizing his talent and potential, Sarvanan was enrolled in the Indian Army as a Naib Subedar in 2017. His success continued with a silver win at a Hong Kong series in the same year. The ILCA 7 event, formerly known as Laser Standard, is a popular one-design class of single-handed sailing dinghy. Sarvanan’s achievement in this event, which has been part of the Olympic Games since 1996, is particularly significant.

Continued Success and Future Prospects

Sarvanan’s victory in the Asian Games 2023 follows his previous accomplishments. In 2019, he won a Bronze medal at the Under-21 World Championships in Croatia, marking his first significant achievement on the global stage. His recent triumph at the Asian Games further reinforces his position as one of India’s top sailors.

With a strong following on social media, Sarvanan continues to inspire young sailors in India and around the world. His journey from a youth national champion to an international medallist serves as a testament to his dedication, skill, and passion for the sport.

As we look forward to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Sarvanan’s recent victory at the Asian Games 2023 sets a promising precedent for his future performances. His bronze medal achievement adds to India’s success in sailing at the Asian Games, showcasing his competitiveness and skill in the sport.

India’s Performance at the Asian Games

India’s performance in sailing at the Asian Games 2023 concluded with three medals. The other medalists included 17-year-old Neha Thakur, who won a silver medal, and Eabad Ali, who secured a bronze. Notably, Ali’s medal marked India’s first-ever medal in the men’s windsurfer RS:X event.

However, the lack of wind denied India a medal in the women’s single dinghy ILCA-6 event. Despite her best efforts, Nethra Kumanan had to settle for a disappointing fourth place finish after the final race in the category couldn’t be held due to unfavorable conditions.

Despite the challenges, the Indian sailing team matched their 2018 Asian Games feat of securing one silver and two bronze medals. These achievements highlight the consistent progress and potential of Indian sailors on the international stage.