TANWAR LIKELY TO MAKE CUT FOR QUALIFYING

LUCKNOW: Despite strict travel restrictions imposed on Indians by many countries in view of the spike in corona cases in the country, an eight-member Indian taekwondo team is expected to travel to Jordan where the Asian Olympics qualification round is scheduled to be held on May 21-22 in Amman.

As per Jordan’s travel guidelines for Indians, restrictions will be in force till May 17 on common travels, but the taekwondo team is allowed to take the direct flight from India to Amman.

“This is what we have been told so far by the authorities concerned that the taekwondo team is allowed to travel to Jordan only through a direct flight and no connecting route is allowed,” Sports Authority of India’s s executive director Sanjay Saraswat said on Wednesday. “Till this noon, we, too, were in a fix about the travel plans of the Indian squad. It’s a big relief that now they would be allowed to travel by a direct flight,” said Saraswat. “Here, we have made elaborate arrangements for the trials. Other than the athletes, no one, not even their parents and coaches, would be allowed to enter the SAI premises during the trials,” he added.

Given India’s track record ever since taekwondo became a full medal sport during the 2000 Sydney Olympics in Australia, Indians are unlikely to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. But, in the para category, world No. 4 and five-time national champion Aruna Tanwar is likely to make the cut.

Tanwar, who hails from Bhiwani district of Haryana, would participate in the under-49 event as only two from the lot of four, which also includes Sonali, Sarika Andana and Veena Arora, would represent India at the Asian qualification round.

So far, in the 43-class category, Tanwar has won five medals, including one gold, two silver and two bronzes at various international championship.

She also had a bronze medal at the 8th World para-taekwondo championship in Antalya, Turkey, and a silver medal at Asian Region President Cup Para-Taekwondo Championship in Kish, Iran.