Nataraj's semi‑final puts India in medal hunt after previous bronze

Nataraj’s advancement to the 100‑metre backstroke semi‑final has shifted the focus of India’s swimming contingent onto his shoulders. The 25‑year‑old from Bengaluru entered the competition as one of the fastest sixteen swimmers, and his 55.58‑second swim secured a spot among the top sixteen. While the time does not match his 2021 national record, it demonstrates his ability to compete at a high level under pressure. If he can improve in the final, Nataraj could become the second Indian swimmer to win a Commonwealth Games medal, joining Prashant Karmakar’s 2010 bronze in the para‑category.