CWG 2026: Nataraj into 50m backstroke semis, Budigina storms para swimming final
Synopsis
India's swimmers delivered on two fronts at CWG 2026 in Glasgow — Olympian Srihari Nataraj advanced to the 50m backstroke semis, while para swimmer Budigina produced a stunning late surge to qualify for the S13 100m freestyle final. With Budigina and Ali Imam both through, India has a genuine shot at its first swimming medal of the Games on Saturday.
Key Takeaways
Srihari Nataraj clocked 25.52 seconds to finish fifth in Heat 4 and advance to the men's 50m backstroke semifinals at CWG 2026 .
A total of 40 swimmers competed across heats; the fastest 16 progressed — Nataraj was among them.
Para swimmer Budigina clocked 57.10 seconds to finish third in his heat, overcoming a fourth-place midrace position with a powerful late surge.
Ali Imam also qualified for the men's 100m freestyle S13 final with a time of 1:05.32 .
The S13 final is scheduled for Saturday , giving India a strong chance at its first swimming medal of the Games.
Nataraj's backstroke semifinal begins at 12:30 AM IST on Saturday .
Srihari Nataraj and para swimmer Budigina gave India's swimming contingent a flying start at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow on Friday, 25 July, as the Olympian advanced to the men's 50m backstroke semifinals and Budigina powered into the men's 100m freestyle S13 final alongside compatriot Ali Imam.
Nataraj Books Semifinal Berth
Nataraj clocked 25.52 seconds to finish fifth in Heat 4 of the men's 50m backstroke, comfortably placing himself among the top 16 swimmers — out of 40 who competed across all heats — to progress to the next round. England's Oliver Morgan won the heat in 24.91 seconds, with compatriots Jack Skerry (25.08) and Matthew Ward (25.16), along with Benjamin Winterborn (25.37), also advancing from the same heat.
Nataraj finished 0.61 seconds behind Morgan and will look to sharpen his timing when the semifinals get under way at 12:30 AM IST on Saturday.
Budigina's Stunning Late Surge
In the para swimming pool, Budigina delivered one of the day's most compelling performances, clocking 57.10 seconds in the men's 100m freestyle S13 heat to finish third — just 0.53 seconds behind heat-winner Britain's Stephen Clegg. What made the effort stand out was his trajectory: Budigina was placed fourth at the halfway mark before accelerating powerfully over the closing stages to overhaul James Clegg and secure a top-three finish. South Africa's Hendricks and Stephen Clegg finished ahead of him.
The performance underlines Budigina's growing reputation as one of India's most credible medal contenders at these Games.
Ali Imam Also Through to the Final
Fellow Indian Ali Imam also booked his place in the S13 freestyle final, returning a time of 1:05.32. Although he finished 8.75 seconds behind the heat leader, his timing was sufficient to earn qualification for the medal race, which is scheduled for Saturday.
India's Medal Hopes in the Pool
With both Budigina and Ali Imam in the S13 final, India enters Saturday with a genuine shot at its first swimming medal of the Commonwealth Games 2026. The para swimming final will be a key moment for the contingent, while Nataraj's semifinal appearance keeps alive the prospect of a medal in the able-bodied programme as well. India's performance across both disciplines on Friday signals a broader ambition in the pool — a discipline where the country has historically punched below its weight at multi-sport events.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Srihari Nataraj qualify for the CWG 2026 50m backstroke semifinals?
Nataraj clocked 25.52 seconds to finish fifth in Heat 4, placing him among the top 16 out of 40 swimmers who competed across all heats. The fastest 16 progressed to the semifinals, which are scheduled for 12:30 AM IST on Saturday.
What was Budigina's performance in the CWG 2026 para swimming heats?
Budigina clocked 57.10 seconds in the men's 100m freestyle S13 heat, finishing third — just 0.53 seconds behind heat-winner Stephen Clegg of Britain. He was placed fourth at the halfway mark before a strong closing burst carried him into the top three.
Who else from India qualified for the S13 freestyle final at CWG 2026?
Ali Imam also qualified for the men's 100m freestyle S13 final with a time of 1:05.32, finishing 8.75 seconds behind the heat leader but earning sufficient qualification for the medal race on Saturday.
When is the men's 100m freestyle S13 final at CWG 2026?
The S13 freestyle final is scheduled for Saturday at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, giving India — through Budigina and Ali Imam — a realistic shot at its first swimming medal of the tournament.
Why is India's CWG 2026 swimming performance significant?
India advanced athletes in both able-bodied and para swimming disciplines on the same day, with Budigina and Ali Imam in a medal final and Nataraj in the backstroke semis. Swimming has historically been a secondary discipline for India at multi-sport events, making this a notable step forward.
