At just 15 years of age, Karnataka’s Dhinidhi Desinghu has etched her name in Indian swimming history. On Day 3 of the 78th Senior National Aquatic Championships, the prodigious teen stunned the country by becoming the first Indian woman to swim the 100m freestyle in under 57 seconds, clocking 56.78s and in doing so, breaking a 17-year-old national record held by the legendary Shikha Tandon (57.00s, 2008).
It’s not just a record. It’s a watershed moment for Indian swimming, as Dhinidhi shattered a symbolic barrier long seen as out of reach for Indian women in the pool. She’s now the holder of three of the fastest Indian times ever recorded in women’s freestyle across the 100m, 200m, and 400m events.
The Sub-57 Breakthrough: A New Era Begins
The Kalinga Stadium Aquatic Complex erupted in cheers as Dhinidhi powered through the final 25 metres of her 100m freestyle heat, her form unwavering, her tempo relentless. When the scoreboard flashed 56.78, it wasn’t just a new national record it was a generational leap.
That sentiment was echoed by SFI President Rohan Mehta, who called the swim “a moment of national pride that raises the benchmark for all Indian women in the sport.”
From a Bengaluru Pool to National Headlines
Dhinidhi’s rise has been swift, steady, and sensational. Born in 2009 and training out of Bengaluru, she first made waves at the National Games 2022, but it was in 2023 and 2024 that she truly emerged as a phenom. Selected as India’s youngest Olympian in swimming at Paris 2024, she became a household name despite not advancing beyond the heats. The exposure only fueled her ambitions.
Since then, she’s only accelerated. Her 2025 season has been nothing short of extraordinary:
- 100m Freestyle NR: 56.78s – New National Record, June 2025
- 200m Freestyle NR: 2:02.97 – Broke her own NR set earlier this year
- 400m Freestyle NR: 4:24.60 – Set at National Games 2025 in Haldwani
At just 15, she holds the fastest ever Indian times in all three marquee freestyle distances.
National Games 2025: A Glimpse of Dominance
Earlier this year at the National Games in Uttarakhand, Dhinidhi walked away with a record-breaking 11 medals including 9 golds, a silver, and a bronze. She rewrote three National Games records, becoming the most decorated swimmer of the competition.
For this, she was awarded the Best Indian Female Athlete award by IOA President Ms. PT Usha, a moment that symbolized the passing of the baton to a new generation.
The Infrastructure Debate: What Next for Dhinidhi?
As with all rising Indian athletes, the conversation has now shifted to how best to support Dhinidhi’s future. Many experts and fans have voiced the need for foreign coaching, international exposure, and access to high-performance infrastructure.
We must not let another prodigy plateau. If we invest now world podiums await. A sentiment echoed by fans who witnessed the stagnation of Srihari Nataraj, another teenage star whose trajectory levelled off without adequate overseas exposure.
With the 2026 Commonwealth Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on the horizon, now is the time to invest deeply in Dhinidhi’s development — be it through long-term overseas training, sports science support, or targeted strength and conditioning.
Voices of Encouragement
Dhinidhi’s success has triggered widespread celebration across India’s swimming community:
- “A true record-breaker! Proud to see our juniors rewriting history,” tweeted a fan
- “Shikha Tandon’s record stood like a fortress for 17 years. Dhinidhi just stormed through it,” wrote a fan on X.
- “We always knew this would happen one day. I’m just glad it’s happened with such grace and grit,” said her SAI coach during the 2024 Paris Olympic campaign.
International Watchlist and Road Ahead
With her record-shattering swim, Dhinidhi will likely feature on the World Aquatics (formerly FINA) radar ahead of the 2025 World Swimming Championships and 2026 Commonwealth Games. Her name will now appear on elite watchlists, and it’s clear that India has its best shot in freestyle since the Tandon-Khade era.
At 15, Dhinidhi Desinghu is rewriting not just national records, but perceptions of what is possible for Indian women in swimming. With a world-class mindset, growing public support, and a wave of momentum behind her, she is charting a bold new path for Indian aquatics.
Whether in 100m, 200m, or 400m freestyle her presence at the starting blocks now carries expectation, not just hope.
India has a new swimming superstar. Her name is Dhinidhi Desinghu.
And she’s just getting started.
