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.
2:03.35
National Games Record
200m
Backstroke
6 yrs
Age Started
BAC
Basavanagudi AC
🏊 In the Water
Best Swim Meet Memory
The moment I made the National Games Record — 2:03.35 in the 200m Backstroke.
Hardest Set Conquered
100 × 100s
One hundred hundreds. Nothing more to say.
Favourite Pool
🇦🇺 Caulfield Aquatics
Melbourne
Dream Competition
🥇 Olympics
Short-Term Goal
National Record — 200m Backstroke
Secret Event He Wants to Try
🦋 200m Butterfly
Of course it is.
🧠 The Mind
Swimming Inspiration
Sajan Prakash
🇮🇳 India's Olympic Swimmer
Niranjan Mukund
🇮🇳 National Champion
Pre-Race Ritual
Relax. And mute everything.
No music. No noise. Just stillness before the storm.
Superstition
None. 🤷
Pump-Up Song
Nothing — for now.
Silence is the playlist.
😄 Off the Blocks
Post-Session Indulgence
🍦 Ice cream
Or a solo night drive. Man of taste.
Favourite Gear
🩱 Race suit
No frills. Just fast.
Hobbies Outside Swimming
😴 Sleep | 🏓 Table Tennis
Early Morning Practice
☀️ Love it — morning person
If Not a Swimmer?
📚 Total nerd — for sure.
Non-Swimming Thing That Helps
🎵 Music
Most Embarrassing Swim Moment
“There are a lot… I don't know which one to say.” 😅
❤️ Heart of the Sport
What Swimming Taught Him That School Never Could
Discipline. Positive mindset. Management.
Best Advice for Beginners
Small steps at a time.
One Thing He Wishes Non-Swimmers Understood
The word swimming itself.
To a younger Nithik
“Never give up when you feel like it.”
— Nithik Nathella | Basavanagudi Aquatic Centre
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