Fawad qualified for the Tokyo Olympics by topping his Group G qualifiers. He got the country an Olympic quota after 20 years. Fawad is the top-ranked equestrian in the individual competition of Southeast Asia, Osiana Group G, after finishing the European phase this month. In this case, however, the International Horse Riding Federation (FEI) will make an official announcement on 20 February next year.
Earlier only Imtiaz Anees (Sydney, 2000) and the late Wing Commander IJ Lamba (Atlanta, 1996) have represented India in the Olympics. The 27-year-old Fawad, who received the Arjuna Award in August, scored a total of 64 points from six qualifying events. He scored 34 points from his first horse Fernhill FaceTime and 30 from the second horse Touchingwood. Fawad had won silver medals in individual and team events at the Jakarta Asian Games.
Fawad Mirza said, "I was expecting a quota but I had to wait for the teams from China and Thailand to qualify." Both teams qualified in Italy last week. If these countries had not qualified as teams, they would have taken individual positions and I would not have got the quota. I am very happy to get the quota but I still need to work hard. It is one of several rungs. Now we have to prepare best so that my form is good while going to the competition.
