Sejwal qualifies for London Olympics

Sandeep Sejwal became the first Indian swimmer to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics on Sunday.

Participating in the 100m breaststroke category in the FINA World Championships in Shanghai, the Delhi youngster registered 1:02.62 seconds. The Olympic invitation time for the event was set at 1:02.92 seconds.

Having missed out on the medals at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, it was a big achievement for Sejwal.
"He has made up for the disappointments in the CWG and Asian Games. It is a major achievement," TNN reported Sandeep's coach, Nihar Ameen, as saying.

The next target for the youngster is to qualify in the 50m and 200m breaststroke events. "He has got one more year to achieve the qualification marks. I am sure he will do it," Nihar added.

Sejwal had participated in the 200m and 100m breaststroke events in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Meanwhile, Virdhawal Khade finished the 50m butterfly in 24.65 seconds, but missed the semifinal by 0.69 seconds in Shanghai on Sunday.

The Asian Games medallist will now be focusing on the 50m and 100m freestyle events to make the Olympic marks.