Beyond Medals: Sajan Prakash Wants His Commonwealth Games Journey to Inspire Young Swimmers

Glasgow (Scotland), July 26: At 32, Sajan Prakash has little left to prove as India's most accomplished male swimmer of his generation. A two-time Olympian, national record holder and now an Arjuna Award recipient, the Kerala swimmer believes his biggest contribution may lie beyond medals-helping inspire the next generation of Indian swimmers.

As India prepares to begin its swimming campaign at the Commonwealth Games 2026 on Sunday, Prakash will once again line up in his signature men's 200m butterfly event, carrying not just experience but also the belief that Indian swimming is finally moving in the right direction.

"It's exciting to see more Indian swimmers competing at this level," Prakash said ahead of the Games.

"The more exposure we get, the more we learn, and that only helps the sport grow. Hopefully every international meet inspires more youngsters back home to believe they can get here too."

For over a decade, Prakash has been the face of Indian swimming on the international circuit. He became the first Indian swimmer to qualify for two consecutive Olympic Games-Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020-and continues to hold the national record in the men's 200m butterfly.

His contribution was recognised earlier this year when he became the first Indian swimmer in 12 years to receive the Arjuna Award, another milestone in a career built on consistency rather than fleeting success.

Yet, despite the accolades, his approach to competition has remained remarkably simple.

"Every competition is an opportunity to test yourself," Prakash said. "I've had a good block of training, and I'm looking forward to putting all that work into one race. At the end of the day, the only thing you can control is how you swim, and that's where my focus is."

That mindset has shaped his preparation for Glasgow.

Prakash has been training under former rival and Asian Games medallist Sandeep Sejwal, whose transition from competitor to mentor has added another dimension to his build-up.

"Sandeep understands the demands of competing at this level because he's been there himself," Prakash said.

"It's been good to have someone who brings that perspective. We've had some really good conversations through this training phase, and now I'm looking forward to putting all that work into practice when I race."

While medals remain difficult to come by in international swimming, Prakash believes India's increasing presence on the global stage is a sign that the sport is steadily evolving.

More Indian swimmers are now qualifying for elite competitions through tougher standards, gaining valuable international racing experience and narrowing the gap with the world's best.

Prakash has witnessed that transformation first-hand, having represented India at multiple editions of the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.

His best Commonwealth Games performance came in Gold Coast in 2018, where he reached the final of the men's 200m butterfly and finished eighth-one of the finest results by an Indian swimmer at the Games.

As one of the senior members of the Indian contingent in Glasgow, Prakash hopes another strong performance will not only add to his own legacy but also reinforce the belief that Indian swimmers belong on the biggest stages.

For a swimmer who has spent years breaking barriers, the mission now is as much about inspiring the next generation as it is about chasing another memorable finish.