Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Srihari Nataraj Advances as Indian Swimmers Face Asian Games Setbacks
Srihari Nataraj swam in the men’s 50m backstroke at the Asian Games.
He finished his heat in 25.37 seconds and qualified for the final.
Rishabh Das was very close behind but did not qualify.
Akash Mani and Heer Gitesh Shah also missed the final in the 50m freestyle.
Danush Suresh did not qualify in his event either.
India’s men’s 4x200m freestyle relay team also missed the final.
One report says Srihari later finished 10th in the final, while the other reports stop after his qualification.
India is trying to win its first Asian Games swimming medal since 2014.
Srihari Nataraj clocked 25.37 seconds in the 50m backstroke heats, finishing joint-ninth and qualifying for the final.
One report says Nataraj later finished 10th in the final with 25.52 seconds, while other reports cover only the heats.
Rishabh Das recorded 25.41 seconds and missed the 50m backstroke final, with reports listing him 10th or 11th and as first reserve.
Akash Mani and Heer Gitesh Shah missed the 50m freestyle final, finishing 26th and 28th respectively.
Danush Suresh and India’s men’s 4x200m freestyle relay team also failed to reach their finals.
- Who
- Indian swimmers including Srihari Nataraj, Rishabh Das, Akash Mani, Heer Gitesh Shah, Danush Suresh and the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay team.
- What
- Nataraj qualified for the 50m backstroke final, while most other Indian swimmers and the relay team failed to advance; one report says Nataraj later finished 10th.
- When
- Monday during the Asian Games 2026 swimming events.
- Where
- The reports identify the location inconsistently as Nagoya and Tokyo, Japan.
- Why
- India is competing at the Asian Games and seeking to end a 12-year wait for a swimming medal.
Heats-Only Account
Final-Result Account
Srihari Nataraj’s status
Heats-Only Account
Two reports state that Nataraj qualified for the 50m backstroke final after recording 25.37 seconds and finishing joint-ninth in the heats.
Final-Result Account
One report states that Nataraj completed the final, finished 10th in 25.52 seconds and placed last.
Event details and rankings
Heats-Only Account
Reports differ on Das’s ranking, listing him either 10th or 11th, and describe Suresh’s event as the 100m breaststroke.
Final-Result Account
The final-result report lists Das 11th and describes Suresh’s event as the 100m backstroke.
Competition location
Heats-Only Account
One report places the events in Nagoya.
Final-Result Account
Other reporting identifies Tokyo as the location.
- Nataraj’s heats
- Srihari Nataraj recorded 25.37 seconds, finishing joint-ninth overall and qualifying for the 50m backstroke final.
- Nataraj’s reported final
- One report says he finished 10th in 25.52 seconds, slower than his heats time.
- Rishabh Das
- Das clocked 25.41 seconds and missed qualification; reports list him 10th or 11th overall and as the first reserve.
- 50m freestyle
- Akash Mani finished 26th in 23.43 seconds, while Heer Gitesh Shah finished 28th in 23.57 seconds.
- Danush Suresh
- Suresh finished 22nd overall in 1:03.46; reports describe his event as either the 100m breaststroke or 100m backstroke.
- 4x200m relay
- India finished ninth among 13 teams in 7:24.32 and was listed as the first reserve in one report.
- Medal wait
- Sandeep Sejwal won India’s last Asian Games swimming medal, a 50m breaststroke bronze at Incheon 2014.
