MP Jabir, an ace athlete from Indian Navy, on Thursday, has qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in 400m hurdles. He took 49.78s to win gold at the recently concluded Inter-State Athletics Championships in Patiala.
The 25-year-old Naval sailor hails from Malappuram, Kerala. He is currently ranked 34th within the World Athletics' Road to Olympics rankings where 40 athletes qualify.
Talking about Tokyo Olympics, Jabir would be the first Indian male athlete to participate within the 400m hurdles in Olympics, he said.
PT Usha, the legendary athlete belonged from Kerala. She competed within the 400-metre hurdles at the L.A. Olympics. Jabir will become the second individual from the state to compete in the same event in the Olympics.
Jabir has participated in many National and International Athletic championships representing the Indian Navy and the Services and earned many laurels.
The spokesperson said that 'the athlete is within the final stages of preparation for the Tokyo Olympics. The Inter-State Meet was the last Olympic qualification event for the Tokyo Games.'