Srihari Nataraj's record tally of three silver and four bronze medals also marked the best-ever haul by an Indian swimmer at the Asian Aquatics Championships
Srihari Nataraj (Pic: X/@srihari3529)
In a country where cricket and football dominate the sporting landscape, 24-year-old Indian swimmer Srihari Nataraj achieved a remarkable milestone in his discipline.
At the Asian Aquatics Championships 2025 held in Ahmedabad, Srihari secured a record-breaking tally of seven medals. He clinched silver medals in the 50m backstroke, 200m freestyle, and 4x200m freestyle relay (men’s) events. The Karnataka-born athlete also bagged bronze medals in the 100m backstroke, 200m backstroke, 4x100m freestyle relay (men’s), and 4x100m medley relay (men’s) events.
When asked how he developed an interest in swimming, Srihari fondly recalled his early memories at the pool with his family.
“I was two years old when I started swimming. My mom used to take me to the pool along with my brother when I was a kid. I enjoyed spending time there and took to the sport quite early and naturally,” Srihari told mid-day.
His haul of three silver and four bronze medals marked the best-ever performance by an Indian swimmer at the Asian Aquatics Championships.
Speaking about his stunning achievement, Srihari expressed happiness, saying his focus was simply on giving his best in every race.
“It does feel great. But going into the tournament, I wasn’t even aware of the 16-year gap. My only focus was on swimming the races the best way I could and winning as many medals as possible,” he said.
Fitness and diet play a crucial role in an athlete’s life. When asked about his diet, the swimmer admitted to having a sweet tooth but said he maintains discipline during the competitive season.
“I’m a big foodie and have a huge sweet tooth. But throughout the season, I try to keep everything in check and eat what my body requires, with the occasional cheat meal. In the off-season, I probably enjoy food a little more and eat whatever I feel like,” he said.
He added that playing other sports is one of the best ways to stay fit during the off-season, along with regular gym sessions.
“The off-season schedule looks more or less the same. I focus on basic fitness, endurance, and spend time in the gym to get stronger. I also play quite a few other sports—they’re a great way to stay active and I enjoy them,” he added.
Srihari also emphasized that gym training forms a major part of a swimmer’s routine, particularly for sprinters.
When asked about his pool time, he shared: “I swim about 8–10 times a week; some days might have double sessions, and others just once a day,” he concluded.
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