Patiala: Kerala’s MP Jabir is almost set to compete at the Tokyo Olympics after he clocked 49.78s to win 400m hurdles gold at the оngоing Inter-State Аthletiсs Сhаmрiоnshiрs in Раtiаlа on Saturday. With this show, the 25-year-old is just a step away from realizing his Olympic dream.
Jabir is currently ranked 34th in World Athletics’ Road to Olympics rankings where 40 athletes qualify. Tamil Nadu’s K Sathish (51.90s) and Pravin Kumar (52.77s) took silver and bronze respectively. The final rankings lists will be out on June 29 and Jabir is certainly to make the cut. He will also be the second from Kerala after PT Usha to be at the Olympics.
Jabir, winner bronze of bronze medals at the 2017 and 2019 editions of the Asian Athletics Championships, stated he has nearly finished his Tokyo Olympics preparations. The Inter-State is the last Olympic qualification event for Tokyo Games.
“I feel relieved now because 95 per cent of the job is done. I think I have managed to consolidate my position inside the top 40 and when the final list comes out on June 29, I hope to see my name there. I have done everything I can and leave it at that. It hasn’t been an easy journey but I think I can relax a little now,” Jabir told after his gold.
However, the journey hasn’t been easy for Jabir, who experienced anxiety attacks last year due to a lack of competition because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The last time Jabir ran a competitive race was in 2019. “It was back in 2019 that I ran in a proper competition. Because of COVID-19, we were not able to go anywhere,” Jabir continued.
“There were so many competitions abroad but we could not participate in them. Indian athletes had problems getting visas and so we were not able to participate in any competitions and our chances suffered because of that.”
Jabir is counting days to see his name on the final list, but until then, he will be nervous. He also stated that avoiding injuries will be his prime focus now. “Of course there was a lot of tension and there still is. Until I’m able to see my name in the final list of athletes who have qualified for Tokyo, there will be some nervousness.
“But now it is all about focusing on avoiding any injuries and getting ready. Now the real preparations begin,” added Jabir.
