Srihari Nataraj eyes Asian Games after missing 2026 CWG 50m backstroke final
Synopsis
Srihari Nataraj missed the 50m backstroke final at Glasgow 2026 by three places, clocking 25.29s in a field faster than Birmingham 2022 where he had finished fifth. The bigger story: a radical three-month training overhaul inspired by Cam McEvoy that he believes is already reshaping his career — with the Asian Games as the first real test.
Key Takeaways
Srihari Nataraj finished 11th in the men's 50m backstroke semifinal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow , clocking 25.29 seconds .
He improved on his heat time of 25.52s but missed the top-eight cut for the final.
At Birmingham 2022 , Nataraj had reached the final and placed fifth , just 0.10 seconds off a medal.
He has overhauled his training over the past three months , adopting a sprint-focused method inspired by Australian swimmer Cam McEvoy .
The Asian Games , roughly 10 weeks away, is his next major target; a decision on the LA 2028 Olympics will follow.
Nataraj said Glasgow is likely his final Commonwealth Games .
Indian swimmer Srihari Nataraj finished 11th in the men's 50m backstroke semifinal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, clocking 25.29 seconds — an improvement on his heat time of 25.52 but short of the top eight needed to reach the final. The two-time Olympian has already redirected his attention to the Asian Games, due approximately 10 weeks away.
How the Race Unfolded
Nataraj's semifinal time of 25.29s marked a step up from his morning heat, yet the field in Glasgow proved considerably faster than at Birmingham 2022, where he had reached the final and finished fifth — just 0.10 seconds off the podium. The 25-year-old from Bengaluru acknowledged the heightened competition, noting that the races have grown significantly quicker since his last Commonwealth Games appearance.
A New Training Philosophy
Over the past three months, Nataraj has overhauled his preparation entirely, drawing inspiration from Australian sprint specialist Cam McEvoy, the champion at the Australian Olympics. He has shifted away from conventional high-volume swimming toward a sprint-focused programme. 'I've altered my entire training method; I've moved away from the traditional swimming method and have got my inspiration from Cam McEvoy. I'm now doing a great deal of sprint work, although I've only been on this programme for three months so I'm still experimenting with various things,' he said.
He reported tangible improvements in recovery and wellbeing. 'I am feeling much better now. I wake up happier and more relaxed and I recover more effectively. I am no longer spending my energy and time in the water — I am carrying out only useful work,' he said, adding that his times this year have been among the fastest of his career, bettered only twice in his life.
The Weight of Near-Misses
Nataraj reflected on a pattern of narrow margins that has defined his international career. 'I was just saying to one of my friends that I had missed out on a medal by 0.1 at least six times in major competitions — at the World Juniors, the Asian Games, the Youth Olympics, and the Commonwealth Games. It's as if I'm suffering from a curse!' he said. Despite the frustration, he maintained a measured perspective: 'Swimming is simply a matter of this — I can only influence what I myself do, for I have no control over what the other swimmers do.'
Asian Games and LA 2028 on the Horizon
With events including the 100m backstroke, 100m freestyle, and 4x200m freestyle relay still to come in Glasgow, Nataraj said he would allow himself a brief window to enjoy Scotland before returning to training. The Asian Games, which he described as 'important for India', remain his immediate priority. On the question of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, he said a decision would depend on how the Asian Games unfold. 'At the moment, all my focus is on the Asian Games,' he said. He also indicated that Glasgow is likely his final Commonwealth Games appearance.
Point of View
Where the new McEvoy-inspired approach may finally close the distance. The LA 2028 question, left deliberately open, is the right call — peaking too early on a programme still being calibrated would be the real risk.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Srihari Nataraj's result at the 2026 Commonwealth Games?
Nataraj finished 11th in the men's 50m backstroke semifinal in Glasgow, clocking 25.29 seconds — better than his heat time of 25.52s but not enough to qualify for the eight-man final. It was a step back from Birmingham 2022, where he reached the final and placed fifth.
What training change has Srihari Nataraj made?
Over the past three months, Nataraj has shifted from conventional high-volume swimming to a sprint-focused programme inspired by Australian swimmer Cam McEvoy. He says the change has improved his recovery and wellbeing, and his times in 2026 rank among the fastest of his career.
What is Srihari Nataraj's next competition after Glasgow?
Nataraj's next major target is the Asian Games, approximately 10 weeks away from the time of the Glasgow event. He described it as 'important for India' and said he would return to training shortly after his remaining events at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Will Srihari Nataraj compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics?
He has not yet decided. Nataraj said his participation at LA 2028 will depend on how the Asian Games go, and that his immediate focus is entirely on that competition.
How many times has Nataraj missed a medal by a narrow margin?
Nataraj said he has missed a medal by 0.1 seconds at least six times across major competitions, including the World Juniors, Asian Games, Youth Olympics, and Commonwealth Games — a pattern he himself described as feeling 'like a curse'.
