Srinikesh wins three bronze medals at Asian Youth Para Games

Telangana swimmer Srinikesh Kiran won three bronze medals at the Asian Youth Para Games in Dubai, becoming the first from the state to achieve the feat. India’s six-member squad delivered its best-ever performance, winning 19 medals including eight gold

Hyderabad: Srinikesh Kiran of Telangana put up an impressive performance, winning three bronze medals in the 2025 Asian Youth Para Games swimming competitions in Dubai.

The 17-year-old Srinikesh has become the first swimmer from Telangana to win medals at this Asian championship.

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For someone who had emerged Individual Champion in the 25th National Para Swimming Championship in Delhi with three gold medals, it was not surprising for critics when Srinikesh won bronze in the 100m freestyle, 100m breaststroke and 50m freestyle events.

Coached by Para Swimming Association of Telangana general secretary C Samantha Reddy, Srinikesh owed a lot to him for mentorship, technical planning and systematic nurturing in coordination with coach Dinesh Rajoria.

“By virtue of these three bronze medals in Dubai, Srinikesh has been shortlisted by the Paralympic Committee of India and is now eligible for the World Para Swimming Championship,” Samantha Reddy informed.

“The event presents a crucial opportunity as age eligibility in the under-19 category would not be available again for Srinikesh,” he said.

It may be mentioned here that India fielded a six-member swimming squad for the Asian Youth Para Games and the team delivered its best-ever performance, winning 19 medals in all including eight gold, five silver and six bronze.

PSAT president P Allivelumangamma and chairman P Chandra Shekar Reddy also congratulated Srinikesh on his performance.

The other Telangana athletes who did well in the Dubai Youth Asian Para Games include Banothu Akira Nandan, who won gold, and Vijaya Deepika, who won bronze.