Srihari Nataraj's Journey from Exhaustion to Olympic Dreams

Standing on the 2023 National Games podium adorned with 10 medals, eight of them gold, ace Indian swimmer Srihari Nataraj was utterly exhausted.

Having been competing non-stop at major events since 2017, the relentless competitive grind and rigorous training finally took a toll on his body. 'I just needed time off to rest because my 2023 season was crazy and so hectic with so many races. I think if I didn't take any time off, my body would have broken down by now,' Nataraj told PTI in an interview.

Refreshed after the much-needed break, the 23-year-old is ready for his second Olympics, where he will compete in the 100m backstroke event. Nataraj qualified for the Paris Games via the Universality Quota, despite not securing a direct qualifying time. He remains focused on his preparations, leveraging the hiatus to refine his training regime and aiming for a personal best time to reach the semifinals.

(With inputs from agencies.)