Indian Sailor Harshita Tomar Aims for 2028 Olympics After Asian Games Bronze

Harshita Tomar's Journey to Success

On October 8, Indian sailor Harshita Tomar returned home with her second bronze medal from the Asian Games, expressing her determination to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Harshita, alongside her 19-year-old teammate Shital Verma, secured the bronze in the women's skiff event after initially finishing fourth. Their position improved when China's Xiaoyu Hu and Yuyue Sun were disqualified, allowing the Indian pair to claim the medal.

Upon landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, Harshita reflected on her achievement, contrasting it with her previous fourth-place finish at the 2022 Asian Games. "It feels amazing to win again. I earned bronze in 2018, but finishing fourth last time was disappointing. This time, I fought hard until the end and secured the bronze," she shared.

The 24-year-old sailor, who began her journey in the Narmada River in Hoshangabad, Madhya Pradesh, emphasized the importance of teamwork with Shital. "Coordination is vital on the boat—how we think, our mindset, and how we execute our coach's instructions all contribute to our performance. Understanding each other is crucial," she explained.

Harshita, a member of the Indian Navy, acknowledged the support from the organization and the Sports Authority of India (SAI), stating her next goal is to focus on the Los Angeles Olympics. "We will first concentrate on the Nationals, then fully prepare for the Olympic qualifiers and the next Asian Games," she added.

Shital, who celebrated her first Asian Games medal, expressed gratitude for the support from the Indian Navy, SAI, and her family. "I feel wonderful. The warm welcome here makes me feel special. I owe this achievement to everyone who supported me," she said.

She also credited coach Varun Thakkar for his guidance throughout their campaign. "His role was crucial; he was with us in the water, training us continuously. He helped us sail freely without adding mental pressure," Shital noted.

Thakkar, a former Olympian and bronze medallist from the 2018 Asian Games, expressed pride in the Indian sailing team's accomplishments, which included three medals from Aichi-Nagoya. "Every year, we seem to be improving and winning more medals in sailing. This is phenomenal for the sport," he remarked.

He praised Harshita and Shital for their composure under pressure, highlighting their teamwork. "They performed exceptionally well, especially with Harshita's experience and Shital's ability to stay calm," he said.

Thakkar, who represented India at the Tokyo Olympics, noted that his experience helped the duo navigate the competition effectively. "We gained significant experience during these two weeks, which is beneficial for us moving forward," he concluded.

Thakkar, who was on a short-term contract to coach the pair for the Asian Games, expressed satisfaction in achieving his goal of securing a medal. "I promised them I would help them win a medal, and I did. Now, we can only move forward from here," he stated.