Mumbai, Oct. 3 -- In sailor Nethra Kumanan's mind, returning with a bronze medal from the Hangzhou Asian Games three years ago was probably the worst-case scenario considering that she had gone as one of the favourites. She finished fourth.

As the first (and till date only) Indian woman sailor to qualify for and compete at the Olympics, Nethra had been the pathbreaker for women's sailing in the country. Yet personal success at the Asian Games - she was 5th in 2018 and 7th in 2014 - eluded the seasoned sailor.

Having a fourth crack at it, it wasn't quite desperation, but a sense of eagerness.

"I want to do this just for myself, rather than having to prove anything to anyone," Nethra told HT before leaving for the Asian Games. "It's a mo...