In a performance that lit up the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, the Indian men’s 4x200m freestyle relay team stormed to a sensational silver medal at the 11th Asian Aquatics Championships 2025 , smashing the national record by more than three seconds.
The quartet of Aneesh Gowda, Sajan Prakash, Srihari Nataraj, and Shoan Ganguly combined for a stunning time of 7:23.38, obliterating the previous Indian mark of 7:26.64 and cementing their place as one of the most formidable relay units in the continent.
A Near-Perfect Team Effort
The race began with Aneesh Gowda setting a controlled opening leg of 1:53.16, keeping India in touch with early leaders Japan and South Korea. Veteran Sajan Prakash followed with a powerful 1:50.53, maintaining India’s position among the top three. Youngster Shoan Ganguly kept the momentum with a steady 1:51.40, ensuring that India remained in striking distance as the race entered its decisive phase.
It was left to Srihari Nataraj, India’s premier backstroke and freestyle specialist, to close the contest. Nataraj produced an electrifying anchor leg of 1:48.29, the fastest split of the team, surging past South Korea and bringing India home for silver. His blistering finish briefly raised hopes of challenging Japan for gold before the favourites held on.
A Landmark Moment for Indian Relays
This performance marks a turning point for Indian relay swimming, a discipline that has historically struggled to match Asia’s powerhouse nations. Smashing the national record by over three seconds is a significant leap, reflecting both improved individual speed and the ability to sustain pace across all four legs.
Relays are about more than just individual times they require perfect takeovers, rhythm, and belief. These boys executed the race plan brilliantly and showed that India can compete with the best.
The silver medal was India’s seventh of the Championships, underscoring the country’s growing presence in continental swimming. For veterans like Sajan Prakash, who has carried Indian swimming through multiple international campaigns, the result was validation of years of persistence. For emerging names like Ganguly and Gowda, it was proof that the next generation is ready to step onto the big stage.
Beyond the medal, the time of 7:23.38 provides a crucial confidence boost ahead of future global meets. It brings India closer to the qualification standards for upcoming World Championships and the 2026 Asian Games, where relay depth will be key to competing for finals.
The Ahmedabad crowd roared as the team touched the wall, sensing the significance of the achievement. In a sport where individual records often dominate headlines, this relay silver was a celebration of teamwork and shared ambition.
- For Indian swimming, it was a statement that collective strength can push boundaries just as effectively as individual brilliance. As Nataraj and his teammates took a victory lap to acknowledge the fans, their smiles told the story: this was not just a medal, but a milestone in India’s journey toward swimming excellence
