1 hr ago

Srihari Nataraj Reaches Asian Games 50m Backstroke Final

Srihari Nataraj is an Indian swimmer who reached the final of the men’s 50m backstroke.

He finished the heats in 25.37 seconds.

Rishabh Das narrowly missed the final and became the first reserve.

Two other Indian swimmers, Akash Mani and Heer Gitesh Shah, did not reach the 50m freestyle final.

Danush Suresh also missed the final in the 100m breaststroke.

India’s men’s 4x200m freestyle relay team was also placed among the reserves.

India has not won an Asian Games swimming medal since 2014.

The team hopes to end that wait at the 2026 Games in Japan.

Key facts

Backstroke qualifier: Srihari Nataraj qualified jointly ninth overall in 25.37 seconds.
First reserve: Rishabh Das finished 10th in 25.41 seconds and became the first reserve.
50m freestyle: Akash Mani finished 26th in 23.43 seconds; Heer Gitesh Shah finished 28th in 23.57 seconds.
100m breaststroke: Danush Suresh finished 22nd in 1:03.46.
4x200m relay: India’s team was placed as the first reserve after failing to reach the final.
Recent medal: Sandeep Sejwal won India’s last Asian Games swimming medal, a 50m breaststroke bronze at Incheon 2014.
Women’s participation: India did not field any women swimmers at the Asian Games 2026.

thehansindia.com · 1 hr ago