Nethra targets Asian Games medal

The 20-year-old College of Engineering Anna University student went in as the defending champion in the Laser Radial Sailing Championship at Krishnapatnam but she finished second to Ramya of Army in a pulsating race.

Nethra had started the day with one point behind Ramya. The windspeed was above ten knots and Nethra put all her strength to work and won the first two races of the day with big leads giving her now a one-point lead over her opponent. This now pushed the championship decider to the last race of the event. Nethra was leading all the way and a couple of small mistakes in the last leg made her competitor go past her and win with a short one boat length lead. In the tie-breaker, this last win came in handy for Ramya, who won the event. 

Nethra was upset that she tied for first place which would have been the fourth consecutive national gold and lost only because of the tie breaker. Nevertheless, she 

is eagerly looking forward to forthcoming international events and the Asian Games. “I have strong records in the international events where the conditions are very different with stronger winds and I am training hard with that in focus,” Nethra told DT Next. 

“I have huge experience and I know I am strong and at a high fitness level and I am also strong in my boat handling, tactics and strategies. Yes, I am building on these strengths of mine and also working on my weaknesses. My dream is to win a medal for India in the Asian Games and I aspire the same at the Tokyo Olympics too,” she said.