Srihari Nataraj Dominates Nettakallappa Swimming Competition

The fourth Nettakallappa Swimming Competition took place at the Nettakallappa Aquatic Centre in Bengaluru on March 10, 2024, where Srihari Nataraj showcased his exceptional talent by winning three gold medals. Competing fiercely in multiple events, Nataraj’s standout performance came in the men’s SKINS 50m freestyle, where he clocked an impressive time of 23.26 seconds, outpacing fellow swimmers Akash Mani and Chinthan S Shetty.

Before the final heat, Nataraj, Mani, and Shetty each had secured two gold and one silver medal. The intense rivalry culminated in the SKINS event, with Mani finishing second at 23.47 seconds and Shetty taking third at 24.52 seconds. Their performances reflect the high level of competition and the potential for future international success.

Outstanding Performances in Women’s Events

The women’s equivalent of the SKINS 50m race saw Dhinidhi Desinghu surge ahead with a time of 27.12 seconds, earning her the gold medal. She was closely followed by her teammate Nina Venkatesh, who finished with a silver medal at 27.57 seconds. Vihitha Nayana from the Basavanagudi Aquatic Centre secured bronze with a time of 27.66 seconds.

Dhinidhi’s achievement is particularly noteworthy as she is the youngest Olympian from last year’s Paris Games. Together with Trisha S Sindhu from Lakshyan Academy of Sports, who also won four gold medals, she shared the Most Valuable Swimmer (MVS) award. Their accomplishments highlight the rising talent in Indian swimming.

Medal Standings and Event Highlights

The competition featured various categories, showcasing the prowess of both senior and junior swimmers. In the men’s senior category, notable results included:

• 100m Freestyle: Akash Mani (BAC) – 52.16 seconds
• 100m Breaststroke: Vidith S Shankar (Dolphin Aquatics) – 1:06.34

For Group I, Dhakshan S of BAC won the 100m freestyle with a time of 53.73 seconds, while Vishagan Saravanan claimed the 100m breaststroke title at 1:07.65.

In the women’s senior events, Shalini R Dixit won the 100m freestyle in 52.16 seconds and Lakshya Shivananda finished first in the 100m breaststroke at 1:17.27. Dhinidhi Desinghu’s remarkable performance continued in the 400m freestyle, where she clocked in at 4:29.22, further solidifying her status as a top contender.

The event concluded with a strong endorsement from former national head coach Pradeep Kumar, who praised the initiative of the Nettakallappa Aquatic Centre in promoting competitive swimming. His recognition of the efforts to nurture young talent underscores the significance of such competitions in the development of sports in India.

As the competition wrapped up, it not only highlighted individual achievements but also showcased the collaborative spirit of the swimming community, fostering a competitive yet supportive environment for upcoming athletes. The success of Nataraj and Desinghu sets a promising tone for the future of swimming in the region.