Hyderabad: The highly anticipated 76th edition of India’s Senior National Aquatic Championship is set to kick off on Sunday at the GMC Balayogi Sports Complex in Hyderabad. The national swimming championship will feature a wide range of competitions for both men and women, including freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and individual medley events.
This year’s national swimming championship holds even greater significance as the sport has been officially approved as a qualifying event for the Paris 2024 Olympics by World Aquatics. The championship will serve as an opportunity for Indian swimmers to showcase their skills and strive for qualification in the upcoming Asian Games 2023, scheduled to be held in Hangzhou, China, later this year.
India’s swimming national record holder, Sajan Prakash, made history as the first Indian swimmer to qualify directly for the Tokyo Olympics. Prakash competed in the men’s 100m and 200m butterfly events, while Srihari Nataraj showcased his talent in the men’s 100m backstroke. Joining them was Maana Patel, who secured a spot through the Universality quota in the women’s 100m backstroke, making it a record-breaking representation of three Indian swimmers at the Tokyo 2023 Olympics—the highest number of Indian swimmers at any game.
The qualification period for individual swimming events at the Paris 2024 Olympics commenced in March and will conclude on June 23, 2024. This allows Indian swimmers ample time to strive for the qualification standards and make their mark on the international stage.
The Senior National Aquatic Championship serves as a platform for talented swimmers across the country to showcase their abilities and compete at a national level. It also presents a pathway for aspiring athletes to gain exposure and aim for international success.
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