New Delhi, India, July 13, 2023: India will field a 23-member swimming squad at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou. The squad will include nine women swimmers who have made the cut for the first time since the Doha 2006 Asian Games.
The Swimming Federation of India officially announced the squad following the 76th Senior National Aquatic Championships in Hyderabad, which was also a qualification meet for the Hangzhou Games, last week.
Monal Chokshi, Secretary General of SFI, was quoted by The Indian Express saying: “We are delighted to name a strong 23-member team for the aquatic disciplines of swimming and diving for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
"In the previous edition at Jakarta, India was represented by 11 swimmers. This time, not only has the number of qualifications risen but we are also very happy that nine women swimmers have achieved the qualification time to participate in relay events.
“It is also very encouraging to note that these young swimmers are aged between 14-19 years. A majority of the new National Records were clocked by these swimmers. This goes to show that Indian swimming is headed in the right direction,” Chokshi added.
Among the women swimmers is backstroke specialist and Tokyo Olympian Maana Patel.