Overall, Khade was third behind China's Hexin Yu (22.21) and Hong Kong's Kenneth King Him To (22.38).
India's
Virdhawal
Khade marginally bettered his long-standing national record to
get closer to his second Asian Games medal as he qualified for the
men's 50m freestyle final by clocking 22.43s which was third fastest
time in the heats, here today.
Khade,
who won a bronze at the Guangzhou Games in 2010, faced stiff
competition from Japan's Shunichi Nakao (22.62) but emerged the
fastest in the eight-man heat 5.
It
was new national record in 50m freestyle as he bettered his own mark
of 22.52, set in August 2009 at Asian Age group swimming
championships in Japan.
Overall,
Khade was third behind China's Hexin Yu (22.21) and Hong Kong's
Kenneth King Him To (22.38).
Anshul
Kothari could not qualify for the final as he finished 28th with a
timing of 23.83. He was fastest in heat 1.
"I
am keeping fingers crossed but I think medal is within each. I have
prepared well in the last one and a half years. It's a sprint, so you
never know what happens in final but I will give myself a chance.
It's possible," Khade, 26, told PTI.
"The
top two may be fitter than me but mentally I am stronger than them. I
have experience and I will try to use it in the final."
Khade
said he was pleased with his improvement after making a comeback to
the pool.
"After
10 years, I am competing at such a big event. I was also at the CWG
also but there, I could not perform to my potential. I had timed
23.11 there, so it is half a second fast. Hopefully, I will be able
to cut down more and get a medal."
On
bettering his own national mark and improving upon his timing from
CWG, the 26-year-old said, "I have worked on strength and
fitness since January with my coach in Bengaluru. I have improved
since January in every competition. Regular competition has helped
me."
The
final will be held in the evening.
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