Jaipur, Nov 29 (NationPress) Olympian Srihari Nataraj acknowledges that he wasn't at his peak performance despite clinching nine gold medals at the Khelo India University Games Rajasthan 2025. His primary focus during this event was not his own time but rather securing victories for Jain University.

The 24-year-old swimmer, celebrated as one of India's finest, is currently in his off-season following a remarkable performance at the Asian Aquatics Championships in Ahmedabad last month, where he garnered seven medals. He opted not to push his limits during this competition, yet he far surpassed his rivals, securing medals for his institution.

Srihari's impressive tally of nine gold and two silver medals, coupled with strong showings from his teammates, propelled Jain University to an impressive total of 45 medals from the pool, including 27 gold.

Looking ahead, the multiple national record holder is focused on the upcoming Asian Games in Japan and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next year. He is optimistic about clinching medals in both events.

“At the Asian Games, I will be 25 years old, which is typically when swimmers reach their peak. I have gained valuable insights about my swimming technique and physical capabilities, and I am confident in my chances of securing a medal,” Nataraj shared with SAI Media after his Khelo India University Games stint.

Srihari is hopeful that his impressive medal haul at the Asian Aquatics Championships will qualify him for the Target Asian Games Group (TAG), similar to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). This would allow for a more structured preparation for the multi-sport event.

“Following the inaugural Khelo India Games in 2018, I was selected for TOPS, and the support I received was pivotal in transforming my career,” mentioned Srihari, who has represented India in the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics.

However, after returning from the Paris Olympics without a medal, having exited in the heats of the 100m backstroke event, the Sports Ministry removed him from the TOPS Core Group. The TAGG initiative, established last year, aims to provide more targeted support for athletes with medal potential at the Asian Games, and Nataraj is eager for an opportunity following his recent achievements at the Asian Championships.

“I believe that with my seven medals from the Asian Championships, I can gain support for the Asian Games through TAGG. I think I am one of the few swimmers, along with Sajan Prakash, who are in close contention for an Asian Games medal, making this my best shot,” he added.

Reflecting on the significance of the Khelo India University Games in his career trajectory, Srihari emphasized that participating in the KIUG is vital for senior swimmers as it offers another platform for high-quality competition. “Senior swimmers in India often lack many competitive opportunities. With only the Senior Nationals and one University Nationals, KIUG presents another chance to challenge themselves,” he concluded.