Nataraj, Desinghu Shine with Nine Golds Each in Karnataka’s Swimming Domination
Karnataka’s swimming stars, Srihari Nataraj and Dhinidhi Desinghu, concluded their National Games campaigns with an astounding nine gold medals each, reinforcing the state’s dominance in the pool. Karnataka’s swimmers bagged a total of 22 gold medals, further cementing their reputation as a powerhouse in Indian swimming.
Record-Breaking Performances
The 14-year-old sensation, Dhinidhi Desinghu, set a new Games record in the women’s 100m freestyle, clocking 57.34 seconds, breaking her own previous record (57.87 seconds) from the 2023 Goa edition. Meanwhile, Srihari Nataraj clinched gold in the men’s 100m freestyle with a time of 50.65 seconds. The duo later joined forces in the mixed 4x100m medley relay, leading Karnataka to victory with a time of 4:03.91.
Medal Tally and Event Breakdown
Dhinidhi Desinghu’s Medal Haul:
Gold Medals (9): 400m freestyle, mixed 4x100m freestyle, 200m freestyle, 100m butterfly, 4x100m freestyle relay, 50m freestyle, and 4x200m freestyle relay, 100m freestyle and mixed 4x100m medley relay
Silver Medal (1): 50m butterfly.
Bronze Medal (1): 4x100m medley relay.
Srihari Nataraj’s Medal Haul:
Gold Medals (9): 50m backstroke, mixed 4x100m freestyle, 200m freestyle, 4x100m freestyle relay, 4x100m medley relay, 4x200m freestyle relay, and 100m backstroke, 100m freestyle and mixed 4x100m medley relay
Silver Medal (1): 50m freestyle.
Both swimmers are now strong contenders for the ‘Best Athlete’ awards. Notably, Nataraj won this title in the 2023 Goa edition, where he clinched eight golds, one silver, and one bronze.
Karnataka’s Overall Dominance
Karnataka’s Vidith S. Shankar secured gold in the men’s 100m breaststroke (1:03.97) and was part of the victorious mixed 4x100m medley relay team, along with Nataraj, Desinghu, and Naisha Shetty. The only event Karnataka did not win on the final day was the women’s 100m breaststroke, where Kerala’s Harshitha Jayaram claimed gold with a time of 1:14.34.
Final Swimming Medal Tally
Karnataka: 37 medals (22 gold, 10 silver, 5 bronze).
Maharashtra: 28 medals (5 gold, 11 silver, 12 bronze).
A Defining Moment in Indian Swimming
The outstanding performances of Nataraj and Desinghu not only reaffirm their individual brilliance but also highlight Karnataka’s significant role in shaping India’s swimming future. With such dominant displays, these young athletes are undoubtedly set to leave a lasting impact on the sport, both nationally and internationally.
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