Latest news with #Nataraj
News18
a day ago
- Sport
- News18
Indian opens WUG medal account with bronze in badminton mixed team
Last Updated: Berlin, Jul 20 (PTI) India opened its medal account in the World University Games (WUG) through the shuttlers, who won a bronze in the mixed team event despite defeat against Chinese Taipei, while swimmer Srihari Nataraj continued his record-breaking spree in the pool on Sunday. The Indian mixed team comprising Sathish Kumar Karunakaran, Devika Sihag, Saneeth Dayanand, Tasnim Mir, Varshini Viswanath Sri and Vaishnavi Khadkekar lost to their Chinese Taipei opponents 1-3 in the semifinals. Under the rules of competition, both the losing semifinalists — the other being Korea — will secure a bronze each. China and Chinese Tapei will square off in the final. China beat Korea in the other semifinal on Sunday. For India, only Devika was able to win her women's singles match as she beat Huang Ching Ping 15-10 15-10. Karunakaran was the first to take the field and he lost his men's singles match to Su Li Yang 13-15 15-13 10-15. After Devika's win, the Indian men's doubles pair of Dayanad and Karunakaran went down 8-15 13-15 to Chen Zhi Ray and Lin Yu Chieh. The women's doubles pair of Tasnim and Varshini then lost 3-15 8-15 to Hsu Yin-Hui and Yang Chu Yun in the fourth match as Chinese Taipei wrapped up the semifinal. In the swimming competitions, Nataraj bettered the 'Best Indian Time' in the men's 100m freestyle, clocking 49.46 seconds to qualify for the semifinals. The 24-year-old Nataraj erased Guangzhou Asian Games bronze medallist Virdhawal Khade's long-standing mark of 49.47 seconds, set way back in 2008. He won heat number 6 race and made it to the semifinals at 12th position overall. On Friday, Nataraj had twice bettered his own 'Best Indian Time' in the 200m freestyle event. In swimming, national record timings are those achieved only at the National Aquatics Championships. Timings clocked in other meets are considered 'Best Indian Time' or 'Best Indian Performance'. Compatriot Jashua Thomas Durai failed to make it to the semifinals with a 47th place finish overall with a time of 51.45s in the heats. Nataraj also qualified for the 50m backstroke semifinals after winning heat 4 with a time of 25.59s and finishing 10th overall. Another Indian in the fray, Dhyaan Mahesh Kumar took the 35th spot overall in the heats and missed out on the semifinals. In women's 100m butterfly, India's Nina Venkatesh (1 minute 04.49 seconds) and Nilabjaa Ghosh (1:05.52) finished 28th and 31st overall respectively in the heats to make an exit. The same was the case for Divyanka Dibya Pradhan and Anushka Sayaji Patil, who finished 29th and 34th overall respectively in the women's 200m breaststroke. Meanwhile, the Indian team did not start (DNS) in the women's 4x200m freestyle relay heats. In fencing, the Indian women's Epee team of Mitva Jesangbhai Chaudhari, Tanuja and Yashkeerat Kaur lost 21-45 to Germany in the pre-quarterfinals. The men's Sabre team of Aditya Atul, Abhay Krishna Shinde and Dhruv Walia also lost 11-45 in the pre-quarterfinals against Korea. In tennis, the mixed doubles team of Vaishnavi Adkar and Atharva Sharma won their round of 32 match against Reina Castilo and Gonzalez Torres of Spain 6-1 6-4. However, Anjali Rathi lost to Li Zongyu of China 1-6 4-6 in women's singles round of 32 match. In table tennis, Suhana Saini, Pritha Vartikar and Sayali Wani won their respective women's singles group matches, while Harkunwar Singh did the same in the men's category. Taekwondo player Deepanshu advanced to the pre-quarterfinals of men's 58kg after beating Ricki Gene Farnes of Denmark. PTI PDS PDS AT AT view comments First Published: July 20, 2025, 20:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
a day ago
- Sport
- News18
WUG: Srihari Nataraj Shatters 16-Year-Old Record! Clocks 'Best Indian Time'
Last Updated: Srihari Nataraj set a new Best Indian Time in the men's 100m freestyle at the World University Games, clocking 49.46 seconds, breaking Virdhawal Khade's 2008 record. Indian swimmer Srihari Nataraj continued his impressive run of form on Sunday, setting a new Best Indian Time in the men's 100m freestyle at the World University Games. Nataraj clocked 49.46 seconds, breaking a 16-year-old national benchmark and securing a spot in the event's semifinals. With his blistering swim, Nataraj erased the previous Best Indian Time of 49.47 seconds set by Virdhawal Khade during the 2008 Guangzhou Asian Games, where Khade went on to win a bronze medal. Nataraj's new mark now stands as the fastest 100m freestyle time ever recorded by an Indian swimmer outside of the National Aquatics Championships. Competing in heat 6, Nataraj clinched victory and qualified for the semifinals with the 12th fastest time overall—a strong performance in a highly competitive international field. Double Record Earlier in the Week This latest feat comes just two days after Nataraj twice improved upon his own Best Indian Time in the 200m freestyle, underlining his consistency and dominance across multiple events at the meet. In Indian swimming, only times recorded at the National Aquatics Championships are recognized as official national records. Performances achieved at international or other domestic meets, like the World University Games, are classified as Best Indian Time or Best Indian Performance—a distinction that doesn't diminish the significance of Nataraj's latest achievement. (with inputs from PTI) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
a day ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Swimmer Srihari Nataraj Betters 'Best Indian Time' In 100m Freestyle At World University Games
Swimmer Srihari Nataraj continued his record-breaking spree on Sunday as he bettered the 'Best Indian Time' in men's 100m freestyle, clocking 49.46 seconds to qualify for the semifinals at the World University Games in Berlin. Nataraj erased Guangzhou Asian Games bronze medallist Virdhawal Khade's long-standing mark of 49.47 seconds set way back in 2008 from record books. He won heat number 6 race and made it to the semifinals at 12th position overall. On Friday, Nataraj had twice bettered his own 'Best Indian Time' in the 200m freestyle event. In swimming, national record timings are those achieved only at the National Aquatics Championships. Timings clocked in other meets are considered "Best Indian Time" or "Best Indian Performance". (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
News18
a day ago
- Sport
- News18
Swimmer Srihari Nataraj betters Best Indian Time in 100m freestyle at WUG
Last Updated: Berlin, Jul 20 (PTI) Swimmer Srihari Nataraj continued his record-breaking spree on Sunday as he bettered the 'Best Indian Time' in men's 100m freestyle, clocking 49.46 seconds to qualify for the semifinals at the World University Games here. Nataraj erased Guangzhou Asian Games bronze medallist Virdhawal Khade's long-standing mark of 49.47 seconds set way back in 2008 from record books. He won heat number 6 race and made it to the semifinals at 12th position overall. On Friday, Nataraj had twice bettered his own 'Best Indian Time' in the 200m freestyle event. In swimming, national record timings are those achieved only at the National Aquatics Championships. Timings clocked in other meets are considered 'Best Indian Time" or 'Best Indian Performance". PTI PDS PDS APA APA First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
New Indian Express
08-07-2025
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Free & Forward : Swimmer Srihari Nataraj gets candid with TNIE
City-based swimmer Srihari Nataraj has made a name for himself in the international arena, winning several accolades and representing India in the 2024 Summer Olympics and the 2018 Commonwealth Games. The recent addition to the list was winning a gold medal in 200m and silver in 100m freestyle category of the Singapore National Swimming Championship (SNAC) 2025, held in Singapore. 'It was a good tournament, I've made a switch in my focus in terms of my races this year. Also, I've been focusing on freestyle this season and it's good to see things fall right on the track,' he shares reflecting on his latest feat. Nataraj's passion for swimming set off at a young age, and ever since he has been undergoing training to hone his skills. His training regimen includes a routine workout and practise. 'I've been swimming about nine times a week, usually every morning. Sometimes I swim a little fewer sessions or gym a few more sessions. It keeps changing depending on where I am in the season,' he explains. A swimmer who had been swimming backstroke all his life, freestyle racing was something new he had his hands on for the past four to five years. When asked about his approach to freestyle swimming, Nataraj emphasised his ability to train well in this particular style, stating, 'I've been training in freestyle more and have not really done any backstroke this season. It wasn't the tournament I was trying to peak so it's always nice to see your best time when you're not trying to peak and I'm quite pleased with how it went,' the 24-year-old says. But the significant factor which helped him win the race? He credits his process-oriented approach. Throughout the race Nataraj focused on sticking to his plan and maintaining his pace and stroke count. 'I was just focusing on my plan and I had an idea of how to win the race. I was pleased with my timing more than the gold,' he stressed, adding, 'You're not in control of what others do. My job is to be the best swimmer I can be. So that's what I focus on.' When asked what message he would like to share with young swimmers in India, Nataraj keeps it simple. 'Focus on your process and stick to your path. It's just about having fun and trying to be better,' he emphasises. As he continues to make waves with his passion, looking forward to the World University Games on the horizon, he concludes,'I have the World University Games and the Asian Swim Championships in India coming, where I'm hoping to win a few medals. These are my other sources of motivation this year.'
