Srinagar, Aug 22: Rower Arjun Lal Jat sports a huge ‘Tokyo 2020’ tattoo on his right arm, and his dream is to compete at LA28 and get another indelible ink impression just below the one he proudly flaunts on his biceps.
But for that to happen, Jat will have to return to peak fitness after spending nearly two years recovering from a debilitating lower-back injury, which forced one of the most recognisable faces in the water sports circuit to miss the 2024 Paris Olympics qualifiers.
The injury has left a deep scar in Jat’s mind and the Hangzhou Asian Games silver medallist wants to regain competitive fitness. For that he has chosen the Khelo India Water Sports Festival (KIWSF) to test himself for the first time in two years.
“I suffered a back injury before the Paris Olympic qualifiers in South Korea, which put me off the radar for more than one and a half years.
“Gradually, I am returning to practice. I have come here (at the KIWSF) to compete in single sculls, which will give me the confidence to participate in the National Championships in December, where I will either compete in single or double sculls,” said the Rajasthan rower, who along with Arvind Singh finished 11th in men’s lightweight double sculls – the highest-ever position achieved by Indian rowers in the Olympics.
The 28-year-old has started training in the Yamuna river in Delhi and is hopeful of winning a medal in the national championships, which will help him regain his place in the national camp after two years. (PTI)
