Ahmedabad : Aryan Nehra, the 19-year-old swimming sensation, has made headlines at the 76th Senior National Aquatic Championships by setting four National Records (NRs) in an impressive display of talent and determination. Nehra, who is currently training under the prestigious Florida University’s swimming program, is now gearing up for the World Championships and the Asian Games.
During the Senior National Aquatic Championships held from July 2 to 5, Aryan Nehra showcased exceptional performance and determination, breaking the 400m freestyle NR by a staggering 3.10 seconds, with a time of 3:52.55. He continued his winning streak by securing gold medals and setting NRs in the 800m freestyle (8:01.81), 1,500m freestyle (15:29.76), and 400m individual medley (4:25.62) events. His outstanding achievements led the Swimming Federation of India (SFI) to honor him with the title of the best male swimmer of the competition.
Hailing from Ahmedabad, Aryan’s success at the Senior National Aquatic Championships came as a pleasant surprise to him. His primary focus was on delivering solid performances and winning races, but his timings exceeded expectations and left him overjoyed.
Aryan’s rapid improvement can be attributed to his decision to pursue higher studies in the United States after completing school. In 2021, he enrolled at the University of Florida, where he joined their renowned swimming program. This program has produced Olympic champions like Ryan Lochte, Tracy Caulkins, and Conor Dwyer, among others.
Reflecting on his experience at the Florida University, Nehra expressed admiration for the training program, which allowed him to compete at the national level in the US and train with world-class swimmers. He has been rubbing shoulders with swimming legends such as Caeleb Dressel, Katie Ledecky, Natalie Hinds, Robert Finke, and Kieran Smith. Nehra praised their humility outside the water and their relentless pursuit of perfection during training.
“My journey with the Florida University’s swimming program has been nothing short of incredible. Training alongside some of the world’s best swimmers and under exceptional coaches has been a game-changer for me. Their humility and dedication inspire me to strive for greatness every day. I am determined to give my best at the World Championships and Asian Games and make my country proud.” – said Aryan.
Next on Aryan’s agenda are the World Championships, taking place in Fukuoka, Japan, from July 14 to 30. He will participate in the 800m and 1,500m freestyle events on July 25 and July 29, respectively. Following this, he will set his sights on the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, scheduled from September 23 to October 8. In China, Nehra will compete in the 400m freestyle, 800m freestyle, 1,500m freestyle, and 4x200m relay.
Looking ahead to the upcoming events, Aryan expressed his desire to swim fast and compete against some of the best athletes at the World Championships. At the Asian Games, he aims to be more competitive, aiming for finals and even the podium.
With a string of impressive performances and the support of world-class training at Florida University, Aryan Nehra is undoubtedly a swimmer to watch out for on the international stage. The Swimming Federation of India and the entire nation are backing him as he gears up to make India proud at the World Championships and the Asian Games.
