National aquatics championships| I did freestyle as a result of I wished a change with out a lot focus: Srihari Nataraj

After setting the ‘India greatest’ time in 200m freestyle earlier this month, two-time Olympian swimmer Srihari Nataraj is contemplating pursuing the fashion alongside together with his favorite backstroke in 2026.

Srihari, who competed in 100m backstroke within the Paris Olympics, hopes to decide early subsequent yr, in time for the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.

“I’ve not made plans for the longer term. Still, 50m backstroke is my most important occasion and it will depend on how I really feel. I’ve two possibilities, on the World University Games (WUG) in Germany (subsequent month) and on the Asian championships in Ahmedabad (in October), to verify myself within the 200m freestyle. I’ll resolve in January or February whether or not I’m going to stay to backstroke or do each,” Srihari advised The Hindu throughout the National aquatics championships on the Kalinga Stadium on Tuesday.

On his freestyle mark within the Singapore National swimming championships, the place he clocked 1:48.66 to interrupt Sajan Prakash’s four-year-old document of 1:49.73, Srihari mentioned: “Singapore was a very good outing for me. I took it as a preparatory occasion, not the place I attempted to peak. I did freestyle as a result of I wished a change with out a lot focus. Freestyle is at all times a second occasion for me, and I like competing in Singapore.”

Srihari is getting ready effectively for the WUG. “My performances are getting analysed, I’m engaged on my energy and fine-tuning my recreation.”

Having spent twenty years within the pool, 24-year-old Srihari feels he’s in higher form.

“It has been very lengthy – it’s my tenth yr within the Indian staff. I’ve grown as a swimmer within the final two years to know myself and my sport higher. Now my thoughts and physique are in sync. I’ve developed as an athlete, and my information is best,” mentioned Srihari.