Training stint in Australia helped me improve my performance in state meet, says TN swimmer Nithik Nathella

CHENNAI: Teenager Nithik Nathella made a splash by winning the men’s trophy (overall) at the recently concluded Senior State Aquatics Championship in Chennai.
The 18-year-old swimmer won the gold medal in 100m and 200m backstroke, 200m and 400m freestyle and bronze in 50m backstroke. Apart from winning five medals, Nithik went on to break the state record in 200m backstroke by clocking 58.42 seconds.

With strong performances in the state meet, Nithik qualified to participate in the Senior National Aquatic Championship scheduled to be held in Mangaluru next month.
“It was quite good to compete in my home ground and I have the experience of training in the Velachery Aquatic Sports Complex (SDAT stadium). I was expecting to break two more records, but I unfortunately fell short,” Nithik told TOI.

The Tamil Nadu-lad was part of the Indian contingent for the BRICS Games in 2023. He won the silver medal in the men’s 200m backstroke event by registering 2:05.45. He then put up good performances in the National Games in Goa and later won multiple medals at the Khelo India Youth Games held earlier this year.
In February, the youngster took part in the BIMSTEC Aquatic Championship in New Delhi and then toured the Philippines for the Asian Age Group Aquatic meet.
After back-to-back competitions, Nithik had a three-month training period in Australia, and it was a good exposure for the youngster to train alongside world-class swimmers.
“My training went pretty well in Australia, and I also broke a couple of my personal-best marks in a few events I participated in there. I used new techniques that I learnt in Australia in the state meet, and I felt that I performed efficiently. The mindset and the way they (in Australia) train is completely different. It was a new experience training in Australia. At the Senior Nationals, I will be looking to shatter my own PB mark,” Nithik added.