Sairam and Ningthoujam Secure Historic Bronze for India in Diving

India’s Sairam and Willson Sing Ningthoujam achieved a remarkable milestone by winning the bronze medal in the 10m men’s synchronized diving event at the 11th Asian Aquatics Championships on September 29, 2025. This victory marks India’s first-ever medal in this category, significantly enhancing the country’s prospects for qualifying for the upcoming Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.

The duo, hailing from Manipur, demonstrated exceptional skill and coordination, scoring a total of 300.66 points. They finished behind the Chinese pair of Zhangyu Cui and Zhanhong Xu, who secured gold with a score of 381.75, and Malaysia’s Bertrand Rhodict Lises and Enrique M. Harold, who took silver with 329.73 points.

Preparation and Coach Insights

Shannon Roy, the Australian coach for Sairam and Ningthoujam, reflected on their journey, stating, “I’ve been working with them for the past two years, and honestly, they were quite behind the rest of the world and Asia. But over the last six months, we’ve really put a focus on the synchronized events, platform, and 3m springboard events.” Roy noted that extensive training camps in Malaysia and participation in the World Championships in Singapore were pivotal in their preparation.

In addition to the diving success, the championships showcased strong performances from Indian swimmers. A total of 12 Indian athletes advanced to the finals of their respective events, with two relay teams also reaching this stage. Notably, Kushagra Rawat secured a bronze medal in the 1500m freestyle event, clocking in at 15:30.88. The event was won by Vietnam’s Huy Hoang Nguyen, who completed the race in 15:15.01, while Uzbekistan’s Ilya Sibirtsev claimed the silver with a time of 15:23.35.

The performances at the Asian Aquatics Championships not only highlight the growing talent in Indian aquatics but also set the stage for broader international competitions in the future. As Sairam and Ningthoujam celebrate their historic achievement, the focus will shift towards preparation for the Asian Games, where they will aim to build on this success.