For over two decades, India has sent athletes to compete among the world’s best at the World Aquatics Championships. From iconic pools to challenging open waters and high diving platforms, Indian athletes have carried not just their nation’s colours, but also the hope of narrowing the gap with global powerhouses.
While medals have so far proved elusive, the story of Indian participation at this prestigious event isn’t merely one of numbers on a results sheet. It’s a story of persistence against odds, quiet progress beneath the surface, and the resolve to keep coming back stronger each time.
As the 2025 edition unfolds in Singapore, India’s largest contingent in recent years spanning swimming, open water, and diving signals not just participation, but a small, significant step forward in a long-term journey.
A Look Back: Indians in World Aquatics A Record of Consistency
The World Aquatics Championships, governed by World Aquatics (formerly FINA), stand among the world’s premier aquatic competitions. They draw Olympic champions and world record holders from over 180 countries every two years.
India’s journey at these championships has been marked by consistent presence but modest results. The statistics paint a sobering picture:
- Indian swimmers have yet to advance beyond the heats stage.
- The best historical finishes have hovered between 20th and 30th places, typically in events like the 200m butterfly and 200m backstroke.
- No finals appearances or medals have been secured to date.
Yet these numbers don’t capture the complete picture. Indian aquatics has witnessed small but important breakthroughs:
- Srihari Nataraj breaking the 55-second barrier in the 100m backstroke in 2019, an Indian record that marked a new level of competitiveness.
- Sajan Prakash, the first Indian swimmer to achieve an ‘A’ qualification mark for the Olympics, has regularly represented India at world events and remained a steady figure of experience.
- Aryan Nehra, part of the next generation, has already met international qualifying standards and set new national marks in distance freestyle.
Participation itself has remained steady, with team sizes typically ranging from 9 to 11 athletes across swimming, open water, and occasionally diving. Each edition has brought moments of hope an improved personal best, a national record, or a hard-fought race in which Indian swimmers tested themselves against the world’s best.
Performance Highlights: 2019–2024
Let’s briefly revisit recent championships to see where India has come from:
2019 (Gwangju, South Korea)
- India fielded 11 athletes.
- Sajan Prakash recorded India’s best finish: 24th in the 200m butterfly.
- Srihari Nataraj’s national record in the 100m backstroke (55.55 seconds) showcased technical progress.
- Open water swimmers finished largely in the 50th–70th range.
2022 (Budapest, Hungary)
- 9 athletes participated across swimming, open water, and diving.
- Ridima Veerendrakumar’s 22nd place in the 200m backstroke was India’s best showing.
2023 (Fukuoka, Japan)
- 10 athletes competed; Sajan Prakash again led the team, finishing 23rd in the 200m butterfly.
- Aryan Nehra finished 25th in the 1500m freestyle.
- Open water swimmers continued to face tough fields, with rankings mostly outside the top 40.
2024 (Doha, Qatar)
- India sent only four pool swimmers, who did not advance to finals.
Through these years, while the final standings remained distant from podium positions, each edition has shown small signs: more swimmers meeting B-qualifying marks, younger names emerging, and stronger national records being set.
2025: New Venue, Larger Squad, Renewed Ambition
The 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore bring fresh hope. India has announced a 22-member contingent its largest in recent memory covering:
- Swimming (6 athletes)
- Open Water Swimming (8 athletes)
- Diving (6 athletes)
This breadth reflects not just numbers, but an attempt to deepen India’s presence in disciplines traditionally underrepresented, like diving and open water.
The championships themselves span from mid-July to early August, with events divided as follows:
- Open water swimming (15–20 July)
- Diving (24 July–3 August)
- Swimming (27 July–3 August)
Let’s take a closer look at who carries Indian hopes this year.
Swimming Squad (27 July – 3 August)
A blend of experience and youth defines the six-member swimming team:
- Sajan Prakash – India’s most seasoned swimmer, competes in 200m freestyle and 200m butterfly.
- Aryan Nehra – emerging distance specialist, will race in 400m and 800m freestyle.
- Kushagra Rawat – long-distance contender in the 1500m freestyle.
- Benediction Rohit – enters 100m and 200m butterfly.
- Likith S P – breaststroke specialist, races 50m and 100m breaststroke.
- Shoan Ganguly – competes in 200m and 400m individual medley, signaling India’s renewed interest in medley events.
This team shows thoughtful selection: experienced names anchor the relay of progress, while rising swimmers test themselves against world-class fields.
Open Water Squad (15–20 July)
Open water has traditionally been a tough domain for Indian swimmers, but this year’s squad is both balanced and ambitious:
Men:
- Dhrupad Ramakrishna (5 km)
- Prashans M (3 km sprint, 5 km, mixed relay)
- Army Pal (3 km sprint, 10 km, mixed relay)
- Anurag Singh (10 km)
Women:
- Ashmitha Chandra (10 km)
- Meenakshi Menon (3 km sprint, 5 km, mixed relay)
- Diksha Yadav (3 km sprint, 10 km, mixed relay)
- Purva Gawade (5 km)
The mixed relay event, in particular, offers a new opportunity: it blends endurance and team coordination, allowing Indian swimmers to gain tactical experience against leading teams.
Diving Squad (24 July – 3 August)
While India’s history in diving at the World Aquatics Championships is limited, this year sees the inclusion of six divers:
Men:
- Surajit Rajbanshi – springboard 1m & 3m
- Wilson Singh N. – platform 10m & synchronized 10m
- Indiver Sairam – platform 10m & synchronized 10m
- Premsam Yumnam – springboard 1m, 3m & synchronized 3m
Women:
- Palak Sharma – springboard 3m & 10m
- Shravani Suryavanshi – springboard 3m & 10m
Participation in synchronized events shows a deliberate effort to build team events, often a strength for powerhouse nations.
Why This Matters: More Than Medals
Critics may point to India’s historic lack of medals or finals appearances. Yet, context matters:
- Each new qualification standard met is a sign of national improvement.
- Larger squads build bench strength and encourage younger athletes.
- Competing internationally gives athletes exposure to world-class pace and technique, vital for closing the gap.
Initiatives like the Mizuho High Performance Swimming Programme launched in 2024, and prior workshops with global experts, show that Indian aquatics is investing not only in participation but also in long-term development.
In Summary: India’s Squad at the 2025 Championships
| Discipline | Athletes | Key Events | Dates |
| Swimming | 6 | Butterfly, freestyle, breaststroke, medley | 27 July – 3 August |
| Open Water | 8 | 3 km sprint, 5 km, 10 km, mixed relay | 15 – 20 July |
| Diving | 6 | Springboard, platform, synchronized events | 24 July – 3 August |
Total: 22 athletes
The World Aquatics Championships 2025 may not rewrite the medal tables for India, but it stands as another vital checkpoint in a marathon of progress. Beyond medals and rankings, it reflects a deeper truth: India is building its presence in world aquatics, brick by brick, race by race.
In a sport where improvement is measured in fractions of a second, this determined, growing contingent represents not just who India is today but who it hopes to become tomorrow. 🇮🇳
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