Two-time Olympian Srihari Nataraj delivered a standout performance on Day 2 of the World University Games, improving his national best in the men’s 200m freestyle to secure a semifinal berth. Meanwhile, Indian women’s table tennis team bounced back with a strong win over the Netherlands, but the mixed badminton team fell short against a resilient Hong Kong side.
Nataraj clocked 1:48.22 in the heats, surpassing his previous best of 1:48.66 set at the Singapore National Swimming Championships last month. The 24-year-old from Bengaluru topped his heat and qualified fifth overall for the semifinals, scheduled later on Friday. However, compatriot Aneesh Gowda couldn’t progress, finishing fifth in his heat with a time of 1:52.42.
🔥 Making Waves in Berlin! 🇮🇳💦
India’s swimming sensation Srihari Nataraj clocks the Best Indian Time in the men’s 200m freestyle at the 2025 FISU World University Games, timing 1:48.22s in the heats! 🏊♂️
✅ Topped Heat 5
✅ Bettered his own record (1:48.66s)
✅ 5th fastest… pic.twitter.com/FRqwAmxhJX— Doordarshan Sports (@ddsportschannel) July 18, 2025
In women’s table tennis, India showed grit after losing the opening match to overcome the Netherlands 3-1 in Group 5. Sayali Wani lost the first rubber to Men Shuohan 11-13, 7-11, 11-3, 3-11, but Taneesha Kotecha leveled the tie with a commanding 11-6, 8-11, 11-4, 11-3 win over Emine Ernst. Pritha Vartikar and Taneesha followed with solid performances to seal the tie. The team had earlier lost narrowly to Romania 2-3 on Thursday.
In men`s table tennis, India edged out Colombia 3-2 in a tense Group 3 encounter. Devarsh Vaghela dropped the opening match, but Ayaz Murad and Harkunwar Singh staged a comeback with consecutive wins. After Colombia drew level again, Vaghela clinched the decider to secure India’s spot in the Round of 16, where they will face powerhouse China.
In badminton, India’s mixed team fell 2-3 to Hong Kong in a closely contested Group F match. Saneeth Dayanand opened with a dominant singles win, and alongside Sathish Kumar Karunakaran, also delivered in the men’s doubles. However, defeats in the women’s and mixed doubles proved costly. India had started their campaign with a 5-0 win over Macau on Thursday.
Tennis brought better fortunes, as Anjali Rathi and Vaishnavi Adkar both cruised into the women’s singles Round of 32 with emphatic straight-set wins. In men’s doubles, Kabir Hans and Maan Kesharwani thrashed their Thai opponents 6-1, 6-1 to advance.
In swimming’s 400m individual medley, Bhavya and Shrungi finished 20th and 19th respectively in a 21-swimmer field, missing the finals.
In fencing, Balram Joshi overcame Hsiang Ching Wu of Chinese Taipei 15-12 in the round of 128, but was eliminated in the round of 64 by American Diego Calderon, losing 5-15.
(With PTI inputs)
