Olympic qualification still within India's grasp, says equestrian Fouaad

An elusive Olympic qualification in equestrian is still within India's grasp provided all factors work in his favour, feels Asian Games silver medallist Fouaad Mirza.

The 27-year-old shot to fame after he became the first Indian to win an Asian Games individual medal in equestrian since 1982 besides guiding the country to a second-place finish in the team competition in Jakarta last year.

"My main focus is the selection for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics right now. It's within our grasp but it also depends on a lot of things like the horses need to travel a long way," Fouaad told PTI from Germany.

His Olympic qualification took a major hit when his first-choice horse, Seigneur Medicott, whom he rode on the Asian Games, was struck by an injury, but Fouaad still feels his performances in the build-up to the Olympics have been satisfactory.

"With my main horse out it is difficult but if everything goes well Olympic qualification is achievable. As of now the preparation is moving in the right direction and whatever happens will happen."
"It will be my first time, I'm inexperienced. I have never been into a championship like that before. A lot of things could go wrong."
"I am very confident when I say that we can win medals in the Asian games level consistently."
"I am focusing on my individual event. The team champion is highly competitive there you are up against western nations like New Zealand, Australia and Japan who ahead of us. The sport has been longer practised by them."
"I'm very happy and overwhelmed that I was nominated for this award. The recognition by the government sheds more light onto the sport."