Indian swimmer Sajan Prakash says learning the importance of recovery helped him return from post-Paris Olympics burnout as he targets podium finishes at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.
Swimmer sajan Prakash (PC: IANS)
Nearly two years after battling severe burnout in the aftermath of the Paris Olympics, veteran Indian swimmer Sajan Prakash believes learning when to stop has been just as important as learning how to push harder.
Now back in competition and with the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya on the horizon, the 32-year-old says he still has one major goal left to achieve, standing on the podium at a multi-sport event.
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Prakash has qualified for both the Commonwealth Games, which begin in Glasgow on Thursday, and the Asian Games in September after meeting the Swimming Federation of India qualifying standard in the men’s 200m butterfly. He recently arrived in Scotland following training camps in Edinburgh and Sierra Nevada, Spain.
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The two-time Olympian admitted that taking a break after Paris helped him realise the importance of recovery, something athletes often overlook while chasing success.
“Athletes train really hard and put their heart and soul into performing, but they become very tolerant to pain and don’t always understand recovery,” Prakash said during a virtual interaction organised by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), while responding to a question from IANS.
“Recovery and rest are part of training. It’s not always about pushing hard. When I took the break, I realised my body was in a big shock and needed that recovery.”
He believes that understanding his body’s changing needs has been crucial to extending his career.
“As you age and evolve, rest becomes a crucial part of training. That helped me come back because all I think about is swimming. I find my inner strength in competing.”
Despite competing at the highest level for more than two decades, Prakash feels there is still plenty left to accomplish.
“There is so much unfinished business. I’ve always wanted to stand on the podium at the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games. I just want to give my best effort, irrespective of the result. If I do that, I’ll fulfil my dream.”
Having spent more than 26 years in the pool, Prakash says his training has evolved significantly from his early twenties.
“What I did 10 years ago is very different from what I do now. The endurance base is already there. Now it’s about understanding my weaknesses and becoming more specific to the 200m butterfly.”
He knows the margins at the Commonwealth Games will be razor-thin.
“At the Commonwealth Games, it will be only fractions of a second that decide whether I’ll be on the podium. Those are the challenges we’re working towards.”
Prakash’s comeback has also seen him reunite with former teammate and Asian Games medallist Sandeep Sejwal, who is now coaching him.
The veteran swimmer said Sejwal’s experience has been invaluable in designing a programme tailored exclusively to the 200m butterfly.
“He’s been in Indian sport for many years and understands the challenges we face. My training is completely different now. It’s focused only on the 200m butterfly and is much more technical.”
Asked whether the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games could be his final major competitions, Prakash chose not to look too far ahead.
“I had a tough time with fatigue and burnout, but I’m in a much better place now, both physically and mentally.”
“I don’t want to think beyond these competitions. I want to take one step at a time, see how the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games go, and then decide. Whenever I make my final push, I want to give it everything.”
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