CWG 2026: Srihari Nataraj reaches 100m backstroke semi-finals as Sajan Prakash exits early
New Delhi: Srihari Nataraj kept India’s hopes alive in the swimming competition at the Commonwealth Games after booking his place in the men’s 100m backstroke semi-finals on Tuesday. The Bengaluru swimmer delivered a steady performance in the heats to finish among the top 16 swimmers and move into the next stage.
Nataraj came fifth in his heat with a timing of 55.58 seconds which placed him 13th overall across all the heats. His split at the halfway mark was 26.26 seconds, helping him stay inside the qualification zone for the semi-finals, which will take place later in the day.
The 25-year-old will now look to improve on that timing and push for a place in the final. His personal best of 53.77 seconds, set in 2021, remains the Indian national record in the event.
Sajan Prakash’s campaign ends
It was a disappointing day for experienced swimmer Sajan Prakash, who failed to qualify for the men’s 50m butterfly semi-finals. While competing in the ninth and final heat, the two-time Olympian finished eighth with a timing of 24.94 seconds.
His overall ranking of 28th meant his campaign in the event came to an early end. The performance was well below his personal best and national record of 23.83 seconds.
This was Sajan’s second setback in the competition after finishing eighth in the 200m butterfly final on Monday. He clocked 1:58.05 in that race, falling short of his personal best of 1:56.38 which also stands as the national record.
Focus shifts to semi-finals
Nataraj had already represented India in the men’s 4x200m freestyle relay where the team finished sixth in the final despite qualifying well. He now has another chance to make an impact in an individual event as he prepares for the 100m backstroke semi-finals.
India has historically found it difficult to win swimming medals at the Commonwealth Games. Prasanta Karmakar remains the country’s only medallist in the sport, having claimed bronze in the 50m freestyle S9 para event at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.