Vishnu Saravanan earned India a bronze in the men's dinghy ILCA-7 event at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou on Wednesday, September 27. The experienced sailor, who previously participated in the Tokyo Olympics as well, achieved a net score of 34, securing the bronze after an intense 11-race contest.
Saravanan narrowly missed out on the silver by a mere point. South Korea's Jeemin HA clinched the silver with 33 points, while Singapore's Jun Han Ryan Lo bagged the gold with a net score of 26.
In the sport of sailing, the competitor's poorest race score is deducted from their total points to arrive at the net score. The competitor with the smallest net score emerges as the victor.
Sarvanan accumulated a total of 48 points, but after retiring from one race, where he scored his lowest at eight, 14 points were subtracted from his total.
The ILCA 7 event, previously recognized as Laser Standard, stands out as a renowned one-design class for single-handed sailing dinghies. It's especially tailored for sailors weighing around 143lb / 65kg or more, making it ideal for heavier sailors during gusty conditions where weight, strength, and fitness play pivotal roles. The prominence of the ILCA 7 is evident as it has been an Olympic fixture since 1996, underscoring the magnitude of Saravanan's accomplishment.
Given Saravanan's impressive history, his triumph in the Asian Games 2023 was anticipated by many. Back in 2019, he clinched a Bronze at the Under-21 World Championships held in Croatia, marking his entry into the global limelight. This recent accolade at the Asian Games further solidifies his stature as one of India's premier sailors.
Boasting a robust Instagram following of 24K, Saravanan consistently motivates budding sailors both in India and globally. His evolution from a national youth champion to an international medal winner is a reflection of his unwavering commitment, prowess, and love for sailing.
With the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris on the horizon, Saravanan's recent Asian Games 2023 success paints a hopeful picture for his upcoming endeavours.
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