Overview
Asian medallist Srihari Nataraj broke his own seven-year-old 50m backstroke record at the National aquatics championships in Ahmedabad on 17 June 2026. He clocked 25.21 in the heats and 25.32 in the final to win gold. Saanvi Deshwal and the Karnataka mixed relay team also set new national records.
A Day of Records in Ahmedabad
The National aquatics championships in Ahmedabad witnessed a spectacular display of swimming on 17 June 2026. Asian medallist Srihari Nataraj broke his own seven-year-old national record in the men's 50m backstroke. He clocked 25.21 seconds in the morning heats, bettering his 2019 mark of 25.58. In the evening final, he won gold with a time of 25.32 seconds. But Srihari was not the only record-breaker. Saanvi Deshwal of Maharashtra lowered the women's 200m medley record. The Karnataka team also set a new national mark in the 4x100m freestyle mixed relay. It was a day to remember for Indian swimming.
Srihari Nataraj: The Star of the Day
Srihari Nataraj is one of India's best swimmers. He has won medals at the Asian Games and Asian Championships. On 17 June 2026, he showed why he is a champion. In the morning heats, he swam the 50m backstroke in 25.21 seconds. This broke his own national record of 25.58, which he had set in 2019. The record had stood for seven years. Srihari was delighted with his performance. He said, "I have been working hard on my starts and turns. It is good to see the results." In the evening final, he won the gold medal with a time of 25.32 seconds. Although he did not break the record again, his victory was never in doubt.
Saanvi Deshwal Sets New Mark in 200m Medley
Saanvi Deshwal of Maharashtra was another standout performer. She competed in the women's 200m individual medley. This event requires swimmers to do all four strokes: butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle. Saanvi swam a brilliant race. She clocked 2:19.15 seconds. This broke the national record of 2:21.15, set by Hashika Ramachandra in 2023. Saanvi's time was a significant improvement. It shows that she is a rising star in Indian swimming.
Karnataka Wins Mixed Relay with New Record
The Karnataka swimming team also made history. They won the 4x100m freestyle mixed relay. In this event, two men and two women swim 100 metres each. Karnataka's team consisted of Akash Mani, Aneesh S. Gowda, Nina Venkatesh, and Tanishi Gupta. They swam a time of 3:37.68 seconds. This broke the old national record of 3:41.18, also set by Karnataka in 2025. The victory was a result of excellent teamwork and individual speed.
Other Winners at the Championships
Several other swimmers also won gold medals at the championships.
Men's Events
-
50m freestyle: Jashua Thomas (Tamil Nadu) won with a time of 23.24 seconds.
-
100m breaststroke: Danush Suresh (Tamil Nadu) won with a time of 1:02.19.
-
4x200m freestyle relay: Karnataka won with a time of 7:38.71.
Women's Events
A Human Touch: The Swimmer's Journey
Behind every record is a story of hard work and dedication. Srihari Nataraj has been swimming for over 15 years. He has faced many challenges, including injuries and tough competition. But he has never given up. After breaking the record, he said, "This is for my coaches and my family. They have supported me through everything." Saanvi Deshwal is a young swimmer with a bright future. She said, "I am happy with my performance. I will continue to work hard." These words show the passion and commitment of Indian swimmers.
The Significance of National Records
Setting a national record is a big achievement. It shows that Indian swimmers are improving. It also inspires the next generation of swimmers. When young swimmers see Srihari or Saanvi break records, they believe they can do it too. National records also help Indian swimmers gain recognition at the international level. They show that India is making progress in aquatics.
The Role of Competitions Like the Nationals
Competitions like the National aquatics championships are very important. They provide a platform for swimmers to showcase their talent. They also help select swimmers for international events like the Asian Games and the Olympics. The records set at these championships motivate swimmers to train harder. They also help identify future champions.
Exam-Focused Points
-
Event: National aquatics championships.
-
Location: Ahmedabad.
-
Date: 17 June 2026.
-
Key Record-Breaker: Srihari Nataraj (men's 50m backstroke).
-
Srihari's new record: 25.21 seconds (heats), 25.32 seconds (final).
-
Old record: 25.58 seconds (set by Srihari in 2019).
-
Other Record-Breaker: Saanvi Deshwal (women's 200m medley).
-
Saanvi's new record: 2:19.15 seconds.
-
Old record: 2:21.15 seconds (Hashika Ramachandra, 2023).
-
Another Record: Karnataka in 4x100m freestyle mixed relay.
-
Karnataka's time: 3:37.68 seconds.
-
Old relay record: 3:41.18 seconds (Karnataka, 2025).
-
Other winners: Jashua Thomas (50m freestyle), Danush Suresh (100m breaststroke), Dhinidhi Desinghu (200m freestyle), Suvana C. Baskar (50m backstroke).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Which record did Srihari Nataraj break?
A: He broke his own national record in the men's 50m backstroke. His new record is 25.21 seconds, set in the morning heats.
Q2: Who is Saanvi Deshwal?
A: Saanvi Deshwal is a swimmer from Maharashtra. She broke the national record in the women's 200m individual medley with a time of 2:19.15 seconds.
Q3: Which team won the 4x100m freestyle mixed relay?
A: The Karnataka team won the mixed relay with a new national record of 3:37.68 seconds.
Q4: Where were the National aquatics championships held?
A: The championships were held in Ahmedabad.
Q5: When did the championships take place?
A: The championships took place on 17 June 2026.