Top 20 Under 20: The Young Women Leading Indian Swimming’s Next Wave
Twenty young women who are set to define Indian swimming over the next Olympic cycle. The companion piece to our 20 Under 20 men’s ranking. Data from KSA State Senior Championship 2026 and 51st Junior Nationals 2025.
Slambook: Nithik Nathella
National Games Record-holder Nithik Nathella of Basavanagudi Aquatic Centre fills out the SwimmingDrive Slambook — on his 2:03.35 backstroke record, 100x100s at training, Sajan Prakash and Niranjan Mukund as inspirations, and why silence is the only pump-up playlist he needs.
Slambook: Sirjan Singh Deol
Junior Nationals 2024 silver medallist Sirjan Singh Deol of Glenmark Aquatic Foundation fills out the SwimmingDrive Slambook — on breaststroke, a 2:31 PB, Qin Haiyang, KFC, and why cricket is not the only sport in India.
Slambook: Vihitha Nayana
Senior Nationals 2025 winner and record-breaker Vihitha Nayana of Basavanagudi Aquatic Centre fills out the SwimmingDrive Slambook — on unexpected gold medals, a jacket auctioned on WhatsApp at the Asian Champs camp, and what the government really owes Indian swimmers.
20 Under 20: Indian Swimming’s Next Generation
Twenty swimmers under twenty years old who are redefining what Indian competitive swimming looks like. The names, the times, and the stories worth knowing right now.