India bag 9th gold at Asian Age Group Swimming Championships

The 4x100m medley relay team of Indian men, consisting of Srihari Nataraj, Sajan Prakash, Likith SP, and Virdhawal Khade, secured India’s ninth gold medal at the 10th Asian Age Group Swimming Championships. The team achieved this feat by clocking a remarkable time of 3:46.49 seconds at the Padukone-Dravid Centre of Sports Excellence. Thailand finished in second place with a time of 3:48.89 seconds, while Hong Kong settled for third place with a time of 3:53.99 seconds.

The Indian team exhibited exceptional talent and determination throughout the race, beginning with Srihari Nataraj’s impressive performance in the backstroke with a time of 56.55 seconds. He outpaced Hong Kong’s Lau Shiu Yue, who finished in 57.72 seconds, and Thailand’s Kasipat Chograthin, who clocked 58.41 seconds.

Sajan Prakash maintained India’s lead during the butterfly dash, completing the race in 54.50 seconds. Thailand’s Navaphat Wongcharoen matched his time, while Hong Kong’s Cheung Yau Ming finished in 56.60 seconds.

Likith SP further extended India’s advantage in the breaststroke discipline, delivering an outstanding performance with a time of 1:02.47. Thailand’s Nuttapong Ketin managed 1:03.69, while Hong Kong’s NG Yan Kin finished in 1:05.82 seconds.

Virdhawal Khade, who had already secured a gold medal in the 50m freestyle earlier, ensured India’s victory by completing the final leg of the relay in 53.00 seconds. Thailand’s Tarit Thongchumsin recorded a time of 52.29 seconds, while Hong Kong’s Fung Chung Ho finished in 53.85 seconds.