Commonwealth Games 2022: Srihari Nataraj creates HISTORY, qualifies for men’s 50m backstroke final

Continuing his impressive run, ace Indian swimmer Srihari Nataraj advanced to the finals of the men’s 50m backstroke event at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham on Sunday (July 31). Srihari became the first Indian swimmer to qualify for two CWG finals.

The 21-year-old clocked 25.38 to emerge the eighth fastest swimmer across semifinals to make his second final of the Birmingham Games. The seasoned Sajan Prakash, on the other hand, finished a disappointing ninth the men’s 200m butterfly, his pet event.

Nataraj had clocked 25.52 seconds in heats, making the 50m backstroke semifinals. The Bengaluru swimmer had finished seventh in the men’s 100m backstroke final on Saturday night. In the men’s 200m butterfly, Prakash finished fourth in his heat after clocking 1:58:99s and was put on the reserve list as he was the ninth fastest swimmer overall. The top eight move to the final.

WHAT A PERFORMER! Srihari Nataraj advances to the final of the Men's 50m Backstroke as he finishes 6th in the semi final[?]#CWG2022 #B2022 #SrihariNataraj #swimming #BharatArmy pic.twitter.com/ZNU8kVBAB6

— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) July 31, 2022

India have never won a medal from swimming event at the Commonwealth Games and Srihari will be looking to change this record when he competes in the final on Monday night. Prakash and Kieren Pollard from Australia clocked the same time leading to a swim off. He then produced a timing of 1:58.31 to win the swim off between the two to become the first reserve.

In case any one of the eight finalists would not have taken the pool or had withdrawn from the final race, Prakash would have taken his place. But the Indian did not get the chance, finishing ninth.

Swim-off is a special swimming race in which the winner qualifies for the next level after failing to make it by the usual elimination races.

(with PTI inputs)