World Aquatics' report published on 2 November puts Dhinidhi Desinghu third in Dakar's women's 100m freestyle final in 56.27 seconds. The governing body calls the bronze India's first swimming medal at a Youth Olympic Games.
Desinghu reaches the freestyle podium
Croatia's Ana Bobanovic won in 55.89, while New Zealand's Alyssa Lawson took silver in 56.13, according to World Aquatics' 2 November report. Desinghu completed an international podium with competitors from three countries.
World Aquatics' athlete results page separately records Desinghu's bronze and the race date as 2 November. Its race report describes the finish as India's historic first at the Youth Olympics, giving the result a significance beyond her placing in the final.
Indian swimmer Dhinidhi Desinghu told World Aquatics: “I feel like their energy from India came into me so that I could swim today.” The remark followed the race and reflected the support she felt from home.
From Paris to a faster freestyle final
World Aquatics says Desinghu competed at the Paris Olympics in 2024 aged 14. Her Dakar bronze is a new Youth Olympic achievement, while the Paris appearance shows she had already raced on a senior Olympic stage.
The Swimming Federation of India's final table for 18 June 2026 lists Desinghu first in the women's 100m freestyle in 56.57 seconds. SportsRivo compared that listed June swim with World Aquatics' 2 November Dakar result. SportsRivo's calculation is 56.57 seconds minus 56.27 seconds = 0.30 seconds: the Dakar time was faster than the June final entry.
What the medal changes
- India has its first Youth Olympic swimming medal, according to World Aquatics' Dakar report.
- Desinghu's Dakar swim improves on the June federation result checked by SportsRivo.
- Bobanovic becomes Croatia's third Youth Olympic swimming title winner, according to World Aquatics' 2 November report.
Swimming continues in Dakar
World Aquatics' published schedule lists heats and finals on 3 November and shows the swimming programme running through 6 November. It does not specify Desinghu's next start.