At just 15, Dhinidhi Desinghu is already a name to remember in Indian swimming. The youngest Indian to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics, she embodies a story that’s equal parts perseverance, transformation, and quiet revolution.
In a world where Olympic dreams often take decades to manifest, Dhinidhi’s six-year journey from hating the water to breaking national records reads like a script that even fiction writers would hesitate to pen.
The Accidental Start
Most athletes talk about an early passion, but Dhinidhi’s story is different. “I didn’t even like water,” she chuckles, remembering her first brush with swimming at age six. “I used to run out of the pool.” Her parents, both working professionals, enrolled her in swimming classes as a way to keep her engaged and, more importantly, help her make friends. A single child with few social connections, swimming was less about sport and more about companionship.
At first, it didn’t stick. “We had prepaid for lessons, but I didn’t swim at all. It was a complete waste,” she says candidly. It wasn’t until her parents physically got into the water with her that Dhinidhi slowly began warming up to the pool.
The Turning Point
The breakthrough came in 2017 during a summer camp. “I was still very introvert, but I started liking it a little more,” she says. With discipline as her cornerstone, Dhinidhi became a coach’s dream: the kind of student who listened intently and executed with precision.
Even then, her ambitions were modest. “I wasn’t naturally athletic. You throw a ball at me, and I probably wouldn’t catch it,” she jokes. But something else was brewing something stronger than innate talent: an unrelenting work ethic.
A Family that Believed
If Dhinidhi is the face of this meteoric rise, her parents are the invisible backbone. “They understood that sport has a shelf life. You can’t start at 35 and expect to peak,” she notes. In a country where many athletes are pushed to abandon sports in favor of academics, Dhinidhi’s parents allowed her to do both.
And that made all the difference.
“Most of my peers dropped out by 15. Girls especially,” she laments. But Dhinidhi stayed. “It’s hard to see swimming as a viable career in India. But I believe we can change that.”
Racing Through the Ranks
The first few competitions were difficult. “I used to puke before races out of nervousness,” she recalls. But exposure brought confidence. Competing in cities like Mysore, Mangalore, and Mandya, she began climbing the ladder first at state, then national, and eventually international levels.
Her coach spotted her potential early. “She has height, endurance, and above all, dedication,” he remarked, moving her into competitive batches. The rest, as they say, is history.
11 Medals at National Games
Dhinidhi’s performance at the National Games was nothing short of sensational: 11 medals, 9 golds, and the title of Best Female Athlete. “Swimming gives you the opportunity to race in multiple events. But winning across them takes stamina and strategy,” she explains.
Her favorite event? “Freestyle,” she answers instantly. “I want to be the fastest woman in the pool for India.”
That ambition has already translated into record-breaking performances. She was the first Indian woman to clock sub-57 seconds in the 100m freestyle breaking a 17-year-old record. “That record is older than me,” she laughs. “I wasn’t even born when it was set.”
Olympics and Beyond
Qualifying for the Paris Olympics came as a surprise even to Dhinidhi. “It took me two months to fully process it,” she admits. “Everyone around me was excited. My family, coaches, even the physio. But I was trying to stay grounded.”
Her Olympic debut was symbolic she won her heat but she’s clear about her long-term goals. “I don’t want to just qualify. I want to make semifinals and finals, maybe even win a medal someday.”
That “someday” is focused on Brisbane 2032. “Paris was never the goal. LA was,” she says. “But when Paris came, I grabbed the opportunity.” For now the target is to make the B cut or possibly chase the A cut for Los Angeles 2028.
Training at the Highest Level
Dhinidhi now trains at one of India’s top swimming facilities in Bengaluru. “The pool is Olympic-sized, the campus is massive, and I train with some of the best swimmers in the country,” she says. She credits coaches like Madhu sir and Nihar sir for shaping her performance and mindset.
She also speaks about the technical upgrades in her training. “We use power towers to build resistance and simulate race conditions. Earlier, I didn’t even know underwater speed is faster than surface speed. Now I study race mechanics.”
Training with seniors also fuels her growth. “I train with people who are double my age. It keeps me motivated.”
The Race That Changed Everything
One of Dhinidhi’s proudest moments came during the Senior Nationals, where she clocked 56.78 seconds in the 100m freestyle her personal best. But she missed the World Championship B Cut by a heartbreaking 0.01 seconds.
“I didn’t even know I’d missed it until I got back to the hotel. It stung a little, but I reminded myself: a PB is a PB.”
Her perspective is mature beyond her years. “In swimming, there are no redos. You dive in, and that’s your only chance. So, you give everything you’ve got.”
The Road Ahead: World Juniors and Asian Championships
Next up for Dhinidhi is the World Junior Championships in August, followed by the Asian Youth Games and the Asian Championships in Ahmedabad. “The Asian meet in India is huge,” she beams. “To swim at home in front of your crowd it’s a different feeling.”
She’s targeting semifinal finishes at the World Juniors and a podium finish at the Asian Youth Games. “That would be historic,” she says.
Dreaming Big, Staying Grounded
Despite the rising fame, Dhinidhi remains remarkably grounded. “I’m not big on socializing. I didn’t even call anyone when I got the Olympic confirmation,” she laughs. “My mom told everyone via WhatsApp!”
She’s also aware of her influence. “When a kid came up and asked for a photo, it felt surreal. But I want to use this platform to tell parents: don’t doubt your children’s dreams. Sports can be a real career.”
Her own goal? “To make swimming mainstream in India. I want kids to dream of the Olympics like I did.”
“We are at least three decades behind global standards of Swimming” she says . For a perspective the World Record for 100m Freestyle is 51.71s for Sarah Sjoestroem from Sweden while Asian record stand at 52.02s for Siobhan Haughey from Hong Kong.
When asked whether she’d prefer making the Olympic A cut or a World Championship final, her answer is immediate: “World Championship final. That means you’re one of the top eight in the world. That’s bigger than a qualifying cut.”
At just 15, Dhinidhi Desinghu has already lived the Olympic dream. But in her mind, this is only the beginning.
Dhinidhi’s journey isn’t just about breaking records; it’s about breaking mindsets. She’s not only racing against the clock she’s racing against the odds. And the best part? She’s just getting started.
