Kumanan first Indian woman sailor in Olympics

New Delhi, April 7: Nethra Kumanan on Wednesday became the first Indian woman sailor to qualify for the Olympics after she was assured of a top-place finish in the laser radial event of the Asian Qualifiers in Oman.The 23-year-old Kumanan has a 21-point advantage over her nearest rival, who also happens to be an Indian – Ramya Saravanan – in the Laser Radial Class event with one race to go on Thursday. The Chennai-based Kumanan currently has 18 points while Saravanan has 39 on the penultimate day of competitions in Mussanah Open Championship, which is a joint Asian and African Olympic qualifying event. In sailing, the athlete who has the least points wins the competition. The final race on Thursday is a 20 pointer and Kumanan has already sealed it with one round to go. “Yes, Kumanan has qualified for the Tokyo Olympics with one race to go on the final day on Thursday,” Asian Sailing Federation President Malav Shroff told PTI. “She is the first Indian, male or female, to qualify directly by booking a quota place in a qualifier.” He also said that two other Indians are still in the fray for Tokyo Olympics qualification on the last day including Ganapathy Kelapanda Chengappa, who is on top of the 49er Class table. (PTI)