Harshita Tomar eyes LA Olympics qualification after second Asian Games sailing Bronze
Indian sailor Harshita Tomar returns with Asian Games bronze and sets her sights on qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Indian sailor Harshita Tomar has returned home decorated with her second Asian Games bronze medal, but the 24-year-old athlete is not resting on her laurels. Upon her arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on Wednesday, she immediately declared that her sights are now firmly set on the ultimate goal: qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
A Dramatic Rise to the Podium
The bronze medal in the women's skiff event at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games came with a twist of fate. Harshita and her 19-year-old partner, Shital Verma, initially finished the competition in fourth place after nine grueling races, accumulating 24 net points and 28 total points. However, the standings shifted dramatically when China's duo, Xiaoyu Hu and Yuyue Sun, were disqualified, elevating the Indian pair to the bronze-medal position.
For Harshita, this podium finish is a significant redemption. Reflecting on her journey, she noted the emotional rollercoaster of her previous appearances on the continental stage.
"It feels really good. This is my second Asian Games medal. I got bronze in 2018, and I came in fourth at the 2022 Asian Games, which was really disappointing. I fought hard right up to the end this time too, and then got the bronze," Harshita told ANI.
The Secret to Success: Coordination and Mindset
Growing up swimming in the Narmada River in Hoshangabad, Madhya Pradesh, Harshita emphasized that sailing requires more than just physical strength; it demands absolute synchronicity between partners. She highlighted that the mental connection between her and Shital was the deciding factor in their performance.
"On the boat, coordination between the two of us matters a lot—how we think, what our mindset is, what information our coach gives us, and how we execute it. Everything adds up to our performance in the races," she explained.
Support Systems and Future Roadmap
As a member of the Indian Navy, Harshita credited both the organization and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for providing the necessary support to reach this level. Her roadmap for the future is clear: focus on the Nationals first, followed by intense preparation for the LA Olympics qualifiers and the next edition of the Asian Games.
Her partner, Shital Verma, expressed immense gratitude for the support system that helped her secure her first-ever Asian Games medal. Shital specifically pointed to the guidance of their coach, Varun Thakkar, as a cornerstone of their success.
"His role was the main one, because he was with us in the water the whole time. He trained us a lot... He didn't put much mental pressure on us either. He told us to sail freely and just give our best," Shital said.
A Growing Legacy for Indian Sailing
Coach Varun Thakkar, a former Olympian and 2018 Asian Games bronze medallist himself, expressed immense pride in the Indian sailing contingent, which returned from Japan with a total of three medals. He noted that the sport in India is seeing a consistent upward trajectory in terms of international success.
Thakkar praised the duo's ability to handle the intense pressure of the competition. He noted that while Harshita brought the experience of a previous bronze medallist, it was Shital's ability to hold her nerves that truly solidified the team's performance.