CWG 2026: Srihari Nataraj Advances to 50m Backstroke Semifinals as Budigina Reaches S13 Freestyle Final

India's leading swimmer Srihari Nataraj kept his Commonwealth Games campaign alive after qualifying for the semifinals of the men's 50m backstroke event, while para swimmer R.V.V.B.K. Budigina booked his place in the men's 100m freestyle S13 final on an encouraging day for the Indian swimming contingent at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow.

Competing at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Srihari clocked 25.52 seconds to finish joint-14th overall across five heats, comfortably securing one of the 16 semifinal places. Earlier in the session, Budigina produced a strong swim to finish third in his heat and advance to the S13 freestyle final, while fellow para swimmer Imam Ali also progressed after all competitors qualified for the medal race.

With semifinal and final appearances secured, India remains in contention across both swimming and para swimming events heading into the evening session.

All eyes were on Srihari Nataraj as he lined up in the fourth of five heats in the men's 50m backstroke. The event featured 40 swimmers, with only the top 16 fastest times progressing to the semifinals, making every fraction of a second crucial. Swimming in lane six, Srihari produced a clean race and touched the wall in 25.52 seconds, finishing fifth in his heat. Although he was outside the automatic top positions within the heat, qualification depended on overall times across all five races.

The Indian then faced an anxious wait as the final heat unfolded. When the overall standings were confirmed, Srihari had finished joint-14th, earning one of the final semifinal berths and extending his campaign. He will now return to the pool later tonight for the semifinals, where he will look to improve his timing and challenge for a place in the final.

The men's 50m backstroke attracted one of the strongest fields of the competition. The fastest performance of the heats came from South Africa's Pieter Coetze, who shattered the Commonwealth Games record with an outstanding swim of 24.45 seconds in the fifth and final heat.

His compatriot Ruard van Renen also broke the 25-second barrier, finishing second in 24.78 seconds, while Australia's Henry Allan completed the top three in the final heat with 25.09 seconds. Earlier heats also produced quick times.

England's Cameron Brooker topped the third heat in 25.07 seconds, narrowly ahead of Australia's Isaac Cooper (25.11) and Scotland's Scott Gibson (25.18). The depth of the competition underlined the challenge facing Srihari, making his qualification all the more significant.

India also enjoyed success in para swimming through R.V.V.B.K. Budigina. Competing in the men's 100m freestyle S13 heats, Budigina produced an impressive performance to finish third in his race with a timing of 57.10 seconds. The heat was won by home favourite Stephen Clegg, who clocked 56.57 seconds, while South Africa's Nathan Hendricks finished second in 56.66 seconds.

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Although Budigina finished behind the two favourites, qualification was never in doubt, with all eight competitors progressing to the final. His performance nevertheless demonstrated encouraging form ahead of the medal race scheduled later in the evening.

Joining Budigina in the S13 event was fellow Indian Imam Ali. Ali completed the race in 1:05.32, finishing eighth in the heat. Despite placing last, he also advanced to the final because the event featured a direct qualification format where all swimmers moved through to the medal race. The experience of competing in a Commonwealth Games final will provide valuable exposure for the Indian para swimmer.

The day's results provide a positive boost for India's swimming programme. Srihari Nataraj has long been one of India's most consistent performers in the pool and remains among the country's strongest medal hopes in backstroke events. Qualification for the semifinals keeps those hopes alive, although he will likely need to lower his time considerably to progress into the final given the quality displayed during the heats.

Budigina, meanwhile, has placed himself in a strong position ahead of the S13 freestyle final. While Stephen Clegg and Nathan Hendricks enter as favourites based on the heat timings, Budigina's third-place finish shows he is capable of competing with the leading swimmers.

India's swimmers will now return for an important evening session in Glasgow. Srihari Nataraj will compete in the men's 50m backstroke semifinals at 12:29 AM IST, aiming to secure one of the coveted places in the final.

Before that, R.V.V.B.K. Budigina and Imam Ali will contest the men's 100m freestyle S13 final at 12:00 AM IST, with Budigina carrying genuine hopes of challenging for a podium finish.

After a solid start in the heats, India's swimmers have given themselves opportunities to fight for places in the finals and potentially add to the country's medal tally. The next few hours at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre could prove pivotal as Srihari looks to continue his backstroke campaign and Budigina chases Commonwealth Games success in para swimming.