The Swimming Federation of India (SFI) has unveiled a 15-member squad for the 3rd Asian Youth Games 2025, marking one of the nation’s strongest-ever junior contingents to compete at a continental multi-sport event.
With 34 medals at stake in swimming the second-highest tally after athletics (42) India’s young swimmers will be in action from October 27 to 30 at the Khalifa Sports City Aquatic Centre, aiming to cement the country’s growing footprint in Asian aquatics.
The Indian team features a balanced mix of medal-winning experience, age-group record holders, and emerging state champions across disciplines. The eight-member boys’ squad and seven-member girls’ squad collectively represent the best of India’s junior swimming system, drawn from high-performance hubs in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Assam.
Boys’ Squad:
- Tirthank Pegu (Assam)
- M. Suhas Preetham Mylari (Telangana)
- M.S. Nitheesh (Tamil Nadu)
- Dhakshan S (Karnataka)
- Dharshan S (Karnataka)
- Vedant Santosh Tandale (Maharashtra)
- Aryan Kailas Bhattbhatt (Karnataka)
- Nitishsai Harinath (Tamil Nadu)
Girls’ Squad:
- Aditi Satish Hegde (Maharashtra)
- Rujula S (Karnataka)
- Vihita Nayana Loganathan (Karnataka)
- Charita Phanidranath (Karnataka)
- Sagnika Roy (West Bengal)
- Sri Nitya Sagi (Telangana)
- Dhinidhi Desinghu (Karnataka)
The Rising Wave of Indian Aquatics
India’s selection for the AYG follows an unprecedented two-year surge in age-group performance levels. Between 2023 and 2025, more than 25 national age-group records were broken, reflecting the success of India’s grassroots and regional development systems such as the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) and Junior National Aquatic Championships.
Among the boys, Tirthank Pegu, leads the team as a medal contender. His technical proficiency in butterfly events and consistent sub-2:05 timing make him a standout in Asia’s U-18 circuit.
The Karnataka brothers Dharshan and Dhakshan S form a powerhouse duo in middle- and long-distance freestyle events. Dharshan, the national meet record holder in the 1500m Freestyle (16:01.09), complements Dhakshan’s blistering speed in the 200m Freestyle (1:52.20). Their combined endurance and pace will be key for India’s 4x200m Freestyle relay, which has shown remarkable progress in recent domestic meets.
M. Suhas Preetham and M.S. Nitheesh add technical depth in medley and breaststroke events. Preetham, the Khelo India Youth Games gold medallist in the 200m Individual Medley, is known for his versatility, while Nitheesh, a national junior champion in the 100m Breaststroke, brings rare strength in a discipline where India is seeking greater depth. Maharashtra’s Vedant Tandale and Karnataka’s Aryan Bhattbhatt both sub-57-second swimmers in the 100m Butterfly round off India’s relay core, while Nitishsai Harinath adds sprint power in freestyle events.
Star-Studded Girls’ Line-Up
The girls’ team, meanwhile, reflects a golden generation of Indian swimming led by Dhinidhi Desinghu and Rujula S, both already senior national record holders.
Dhinidhi, India’s youngest athlete at the Paris 2024 Olympics, remains the nation’s top mid-distance swimmer. The 15-year-old from Karnataka holds the India best time in the 200m Freestyle (2:02.84) and recently set a new benchmark in the 400m Freestyle (4:24.60). Her inclusion provides India an immediate medal prospect in both individual and relay events.
Rujula S, another Karnataka star, is the country’s sprint queen holding the national record in the 50m Freestyle (26.36s). Her explosive speed and technical starts make her India’s best hope in short-distance races. Maharashtra’s Aditi Satish Hegde brings all-round versatility, having won seven medals at the KIYG 2025, including golds in the 200m Freestyle and 400m Freestyle. She will also bolster India’s medal push in relay events.
Telangana’s Sri Nitya Sagi, the 200m Backstroke KIYG gold medallist, adds technical variety, while Vihita Nayana Loganathan, who represented India at the World Junior Championships 2025, provides valuable international exposure. Sagnika Roy and Charita Phanidranath, both national-level age-group champions, round off a squad that blends proven medalists with emerging youth talent.
With 34 medals on offer in swimming, India is strategically positioned to contend across multiple categories, particularly in freestyle, butterfly, and medley relays. The presence of six national record holders four boys and two girls marks India’s most competitive youth team in AYG history. The event will also serve as a critical qualifying benchmark for the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar, where Asia’s top U-18 swimmers will vie for Olympic recognition.
According to SFI officials, India’s selection focused not only on medal potential but on technical readiness and international exposure, with a deliberate emphasis on developing a long-term core for future senior events.
As the pool events begin on October 27, India enters Bahrain with a quiet confidence born out of structure, science, and success.
The Asian Youth Games 2025 won’t just be a medal pursuit it will be an early glimpse of the next generation set to power Indian swimming into the global arena ahead of Los Angeles 2028 and beyond.
