Srihari advances to 50m backstroke semifinals; Budinga and Ali reach para final

Srihari advanced into the 50m backstroke semifinals, and para-swimmers Budinga and Ali earned places in their final at the Commonwealth Games. The trio’s results were confirmed in the swimming sessions on Friday.

The outcomes came as part of the ongoing Commonwealth Games swimming programme, where heats and classification events have been determining semifinal and final lineups. Srihari’s performance in the 50m backstroke moved him into the next round of the able-bodied competition, while Budinga and Ali progressed through their respective para-swimming races to reach the final. Team officials and spectators noted the significance of securing advancement at this stage of the tournament.

Srihari’s swim in the 50m backstroke was sufficient to place him among the qualifiers for the semifinals, marking a key step in the short-course sprint backstroke event. His progression ensures he will compete again as the field narrows toward medal contention. The result will allow Srihari to focus on race execution and lane strategy ahead of the semifinal session.

In para-swimming, Budinga recorded a time that secured a berth in the final and will contend for a podium position. The advancement to the final represents a critical opportunity for Budinga to challenge for medals in the classification event. Coaches will be preparing race plans tailored to the final, where fractions of a second are decisive.

Ali likewise moved through the preliminaries to claim a place in the para final, keeping medal hopes alive. Reaching the final stage places Ali among the top competitors in the event, with a single race remaining to determine final standings. Support staff and teammates were reported to be rallying behind the swimmers as they prepare for the concluding heats.

Each of these advancements — Srihari to the 50m backstroke semifinals and Budinga and Ali to their para final — reflects progress in the Commonwealth Games swimming schedule and sets up decisive races in the sessions to follow. The athletes will return to competition with the immediate goal of converting qualification into podium results.