New Delhi: Aditi Ashok, who became the first female Indian golfer to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday, stated she was always confident of qualifying for the showpiece event beginning next month. The 23-year-old made the cut for her second Olympic appearance after finishing 45th on the qualifying list.
Ashok thus joined compatriot Anirban Lahiri and Udayan Mane to form a three-member Indian team for the flight to Tokyo. Ashok’s previous Olympics appearance was five years back in Rio de Janeiro where she finished 41st.
I still think of @Rio2016 like it was only yesterday. To have the honour of playing for India @OlympicGolf @Tokyo2020 is beyond exciting. I’m privileged to have the opportunity to represent my country & my sport at the games again.#Tokyo2020 #OlympicGolf
🇮🇳⛳️🏌🏻♀️
📸 @GettyImages pic.twitter.com/rVN0Tu1ckD— Aditi Ashok (@aditigolf) June 29, 2021
Ashok had a strong start in Rio de Janeiro but fell when it counted the most. She had started with rounds of 68-68-69 and was in medal contention but only managed 76 in the final round, dropping her to 41st place.
But unlike in 2016, the Arjuna awardee’s Tokyo berth was never in doubt. After turning pro in 2016 and competing on two of the most prestigious Tours – the LPGA and the Ladies European Tour (LET) – ever since, her qualification was expected.
Tokyo will provide the three-time LET winner with another chance to make amends for her performance in Rio. Even though Ashok made the first list, Diksha Dagar is also on the second list as the fifth reserve in case of some specific pull-outs. Diksha had been trailing Tvesa Malik until last week when she tied for fourth place in a race in the Czech Republic.
Last Tuesday, Lahiri took the 60th and final spot in the men’s section. Mane, who was the first reserve, made the cut following the withdrawal of Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo. The Olympic golf competition for men will be held at the Kasumigaseki Country Club from July 29 to August 2, while the women will compete a week later from August 4 to 7.
