Just a second away from the Olympics

There is an Olympic qualification mark up for grabs at the Asian age-group championship at Japan in August. And Divgikar who is less than a second from qualifying for the 50m freestyle, is riding on a clutch of good timings over the summer to launch his bid. With a job with Infosys 8212; at India8217;s swim-hub Bangalore8212; in tow.

The youngster8217;s first real success came soon after his HSC examinations 8212; a gold medal at the 2001 nationals. 8220;I practised for just an hour each day. I went in without too many expectations, but was very focussed8212;and I picked the gold,8221; recalls Divgikar.

Four years and a SAF Games silver later, Divgikar celebrated his interview selection with the Bangalore software major with another splash in the pool, clocking under 24 8212; 23.97 seconds 8212; for the first time in his career, at the national trials in Chennai in 2005 .

Training-preparations were still in short-spurts 8212; half-an-hour a day, though power-packed, and the barrier was broken. 8220;That was the first time I dedicated myself to achieving a particular timing and was picked for the Bangalore camp,8221; he adds.

Now after wrapping up his final semester at the Thadomal Sahani Engineering College, Divgikar is hoping to set off on the most-critical 18 months of his career in the pool, chasing qualification. 8220;I8217;m the closest amongst Indians, but it will be very tough,8221; he says of the 50m event wherein even a hundredth of a second becomes crucial.

8220;The time constraints due to studies have been huge,8221; Divgikar says, even as he jokes about the small distance and shorter timing involved in his event. 8220;It8217;s not a surprise that I did well in 50m. Swimmers from Mumbai with access to 25m pools and the whole time-crunch so typical to the city mean that we are better at the sprint-events,8221; he says, adding that he does intend to shift his focus to mid-distance eventually.

Almost six years after his father Sandeep Divgikar8217;s demise of a brain hemorrhage, Varun continues to thrive on his ever-lasting advice of perfect, scientific preparation yielding the best results. 8220;As a coach he was always very supportive and way ahead of his times. After he passed away, I realised what all goes into making a swimmer; used to take everything for granted before. I wasn8217;t very focused then, but started to do everything on my own later,8221; he says. Athletics and kick-boxing, besides an emphasis on nutrition are integral to his swimming now.

Needing to quicken the start, streamline movements and bringing it down to 3-4 breaths, Divgikar is set to participate in around 10 events, seeking qualification. But before, there is the last bit of engineering-matter to cramp in his final academic year, while swimming is put off as a stress-buster.