Srihari Nataraj has spent the better part of a decade rewriting Indian swimming's record books. A two-time Olympian and holder of 14 national records, the swimmer from Malleswaram has established himself as one of the country's finest athletes. Off the starting blocks, however, he is just as likely to greet the camera with a thumbs-up or a peace sign as he is to stand on a podium. His journey to the Olympics began much closer to home, at a neighbourhood swimming pool where a simple family routine unexpectedly sparked a lifelong passion.
A swimmer before he could remember
Srihari's elder brother was advised to take up swimming to help with breathing issues, and their mother began taking both boys to Dolphin Aquatics at the Padukone–Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence every day. Watching from the poolside, Srihari fell in love with the sport. By the age of nine, he had already won his first national title.
Growing up in Malleswaram, sport came naturally to the family. His mother, Kalyani Nataraj, was a state-level volleyball player, while his father was a national-level athlete. They encouraged him to pursue swimming without compromising on academics, and he later studied Economics at Sri Bhagawan Mahaveer Jain College after completing school at Jain Heritage School.
The coach who watched him grow up
Coach Nihar Ameen has known Srihari almost his entire life. "He has known me since I was a baby," Srihari once said with a smile. "I used to be the naughtiest boy in the team."
That relationship grew into one of Indian sport's most successful partnerships. Even during the pandemic, when pools across India remained closed, coach and swimmer travelled to Europe to resume training. Srihari has often credited Ameen not only for refining his technique but also for helping him stay mentally focused through setbacks.
Five hundredths of a second from heartbreak
Olympic qualification was anything but straightforward.
In June 2021, Srihari missed the Olympic 'A' qualification standard in the 100-metre backstroke by just 0.05 seconds. Rather than dwelling on the disappointment, he and his coach returned to work, analysing every aspect of his race.
Just days later, he clocked 53.77 seconds, comfortably inside the qualifying mark, becoming only the second Indian swimmer to qualify for the Olympics through the demanding 'A' standard.
"I have been preparing for the time trial for the past three years," he said after qualifying. "I'm glad that the efforts paved the way towards my Olympic dream."
The boy who never stopped wanting more
Srihari's competitive mindset is perhaps best summed up in a single sentence:
"When I want something, I want it—and I won't stop till I get it."
That determination has carried him from junior championships to the world's biggest sporting stage. He represented India at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics, becoming one of the few Indian swimmers to compete at two Olympic Games.
India's backstroke specialist
Over the past decade, Srihari Nataraj has established himself as one of India's finest swimmers. As of 2025, he holds 14 Indian national records across backstroke, freestyle and medley events. A two-time Olympian, he has represented India on the sport's biggest stages while continuing to dominate domestic competition.
His achievements include:
Representing India at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games
Winning Best Male Athlete at the 2023 and 2025 National Games
Claiming nine gold medals and one silver at the 2025 National Games
Winning four gold medals and two silver medals at the 2019 South Asian Games
Reaching the finals of the 2022 Commonwealth Games and finishing sixth in the 100 m backstroke at the 2023 Asian Games
Becoming only the second Indian swimmer to achieve the Olympic 'A' qualification standard, earning direct qualification for the Tokyo Olympics
Beyond the medals
"Sometimes I have the most random things going on in my mind," Srihari once said of what he thinks about while swimming. "I think of songs, and as I'm a backstroker, I like to observe the birds fly in the sky."
Off the pool deck, he enjoys documentaries, anime, and House M.D., and proudly admits to being a foodie. Despite competing across the world, he still swears by Malleswaram favourites like CTR Shri Sagar and the Death by Chocolate at the Corner House inside Airlines Hotel. After earning his Olympic qualification, he celebrated with coach Nihar Ameen over burgers.
Today, with two Olympic appearances, 14 national records, and countless medals to his name, Srihari stands among the defining figures of Indian swimming. Yet, for Malleswaram, he remains one of its own—a neighbourhood boy whose journey from the local pool to the Olympic stage continues to be a source of pride.
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srihari_Nataraj
Wikipedia
Article in Bangalore mirror by Dona Dey
Exclusive interview with Srihari Natraj by Olympics.com
Srihari Nataraj
