Karnataka’s swimming prodigies, 15-year-old Dhinidhi Desinghu and Shoan Ganguly, made headlines at the 78th Senior National Aquatic Championships held in Bhubaneswar on June 23, 2025, by smashing national records in their respective events.
Dhinidhi, India’s youngest Olympian, broke her own national record in the women’s 200m freestyle with a time of 2:02.97, while Shoan set a new national best in the men’s 200m individual medley clocking 2:04.34. Both athletes credited their recent international exposure for their improved performances.
Karnataka dominated the medal tally, also setting a new national record in the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay. Officials and coaches lauded these performances as a sign of India’s emerging strength in competitive swimming, raising hopes for greater success on the world stage.
Rising Stars Rewrite the Record Books
Dhinidhi Desinghu’s commanding performance in the women’s 200m freestyle event not only earned her the gold medal but also saw her shave 0.27 seconds off her previous national record, which she had set earlier this year at the 2025 National Games. Speaking to the media, Dhinidhi said, “Competing at the Paris Olympics and Asian Games has given me invaluable experience and confidence.
I am now focused on improving my timings further for the upcoming World Championships.” Her dedication and maturity at such a young age have made her a beacon of hope for Indian swimming. Meanwhile, Shoan Ganguly’s stellar swim in the men’s 200m individual medley saw him break the national record previously held by Sajan Prakash, a veteran and multiple-time Olympian.
Shoan’s 2:04.34 finish also surpassed the meet record, signalling his arrival as one of India’s top swimmers. Adding to Karnataka’s dominance, the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay team — comprising Rujula S, Latisha Mandaana, Akash Mani, and Tanish George Mathew — set a new national record with a time of 3:41.18, highlighting the depth of talent in the state’s swimming circuit.
A New Wave of Indian Swimming Talent
The 78th Senior National Aquatic Championships, hosted at Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium Aquatic Centre, have witnessed a surge in youth-led performances, with three national records broken in just two days. This new generation of swimmers is benefiting from enhanced training facilities, international exposure, and dedicated coaching, which is reflected in their rapidly improving timings.
Dhinidhi’s progress, in particular, has sparked excitement among coaches and fans, as she edges closer to the international elite times of around 1:57–1:58 in the 200m freestyle. Karnataka’s impressive haul of 15 medals on Day 2 (6 gold, 3 silver, 6 bronze) placed them firmly at the top of the leaderboard, ahead of strong contenders Tamil Nadu and Railways.
Experts believe this momentum will continue, with India poised to make a bigger impact in upcoming global competitions such as the World Junior Swimming Championships and the Asian Games.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The record-breaking feats of Dhinidhi Desinghu and Shoan Ganguly are not just sporting milestones; they represent the power of perseverance, youthful ambition, and the critical role of international exposure in nurturing talent. Their achievements inspire pride and optimism for Indian sports, reminding us of the importance of investing in young athletes with empathy, encouragement, and equal opportunity.
As a nation, fostering such talent requires a collective effort—from grassroots support to robust infrastructure and a culture that values sportsmanship and mental well-being.
The Logical Indian celebrates these young champions and calls upon communities, policymakers, and sports bodies to come together in creating an environment where every aspiring athlete can dream big and succeed.
