Indian Sailors Prince and Manu Celebrate Historic Silver at Asian Games

A Personal Triumph for Prince Kurisinkal Noble

In a heartfelt moment, Indian sailor Prince Kurisinkal Noble dedicated the silver medal he earned at the Asian Games to his late father, who tragically lost his life during the catastrophic Kerala floods in 2018. This achievement, shared with his cousin and sailing partner Manu Francis, holds profound significance for Prince.

The duo, both serving in the Indian Army—Prince as a Havildar and Manu as a Naik—returned to India on Wednesday after clinching silver in the men's skiff 49er event at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. This medal marks India's first-ever silver in this category at the Asian Games, following a strong performance where they finished second to China after nine races.

Upon arriving in New Delhi, Prince expressed his gratitude, stating, "Many people contributed to this success, but I dedicate it to my father."

Prince was competing in a sailing event in Germany when he received the devastating news of his father's passing. Manu, who has been by his side since childhood, provided unwavering support during this challenging time, and together they have continued to excel in the 49er class.

A Strong Performance and Future Aspirations

The silver medal signifies a significant milestone in their journey, showcasing one of their best performances on the continental stage. They secured victory in one of the nine races, finishing with a total of 23 points, just behind the Chinese team, while Hong Kong took home the bronze.

Manu highlighted the improvements they have made over the past year, stating, "We have made considerable progress since participating in international events, which was essential for our development. Competing closely with the Chinese sailors indicates our growth. We are optimistic about qualifying for the upcoming Olympic Games."

Despite their success, the pair acknowledges the need for further enhancement, particularly in lighter wind conditions. Manu noted, "Our performance in light winds is decent, but we still need to improve to keep pace with the competition."

The Power of Partnership

The strong bond between Prince and Manu has been pivotal to their achievements. Having sailed together since childhood, Prince remarked on their seamless communication on the boat, saying, "We’ve been together for so long that sometimes words aren’t necessary; Manu knows exactly what I need."

Both sailors joined the Madras Engineer Group (MEG) in 2014 and have been training at the Army Yachting Node since 2016. They credited the Indian Army for providing the necessary resources and support to compete at the highest levels.

Prince explained, "Since joining MEG, we have received tremendous support. They sent us to the Army Yachting Node, which is the best sailing facility in India, and we have been training there since 2016. The Army's backing has been invaluable."

Dreaming of Olympic Glory

At 30, Prince is determined to realize his Olympic dream, a goal he has held since childhood. He shared, "I’ve always wanted to win an Olympic gold medal. It’s a dream I’ve nurtured since school, and I believe I can achieve it one day."

Manu, now 31, echoed this sentiment, stating that their recent advancements make an Olympic medal a tangible goal. He remarked, "If we maintain our progress, winning an Olympic medal is within our reach."

Both sailors dedicated their silver medal to everyone who has supported them, including the Indian Army, the Yachting Association of India, the Sports Authority of India, and their families. Manu emphasized, "This achievement is not just ours; it’s a collective effort involving many people who have helped us along the way."

A Milestone in Indian Sailing

The silver medal adds to India's growing legacy in sailing at the Asian Games, marking the country's second medal in the men's 49er event, following the bronze won by Varun Thakkar and KC Ganapathy in Jakarta 2018. The sailing competition operates on a low-point scoring system, where the team with the lowest overall score wins.

For Prince and Manu, the silver medal is not merely an accolade; it represents a significant step in their lifelong journey towards achieving their Olympic aspirations.