The 22-year-old from Ahmedabad has brought laurels to the country by winning numerous medals and awards at national and international competitions. Having developed a passion for swimming at the age of nine, Aryan has established himself among India's most successful long-distance swimmers and is seen as one of the country's biggest medal hopes in international competitions. 

He has qualified for the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games by setting a new record in the men's 1,500 m freestyle at the 79th Senior National Swimming Championship. These are scheduled to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2. He is now hoping to qualify for the Asian Games in Japan later this year.

Aryan, who is now eyeing the Asian Games, attributed his achievements to his family, coaches, and support team.

At the 78th Senior National Swimming Championship in 2025, Aryan won the gold medal in 400 m freestyle. In 2023, he set a new national record of 3:52.55 minutes in the same event and won another gold medal. 

He also won a gold medal in freestyle relay and three silver medals in individual events at the 11th Asian Age Group Aquatics Championship in 2024. Aryan is among India's fastest swimmers in the 400 m, 800 m and 1,500 m freestyle events.

Son Of An IAS Officer 

Aryan is the son of senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Vijay Nehra, who is currently serving as Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. 

The year 2023 was a breakthrough year for him. Aryan is regarded as one of India's most promising swimmers and is considered capable of winning medals for the country at the Olympics and World Championships. Apart from swimming, he enjoys playing chess and mentoring young swimmers.

International And National Career

Aryan became the youngest Indian swimmer to represent the country at the prestigious FINA World Championships. He completed his undergraduate studies in Economics at the University of Florida, USA, where he also competed as a student-athlete in NCAA Division I. 

He is currently training in Antibes, France, under the World Aquatics Scholarship Programme and is the only Indian swimmer selected for this prestigious scholarship. He has recorded notable performances at the World Championships in Singapore (2025), the Nîmes Open in France (2025), and the Giant Open in Paris (2026), besides winning numerous medals and accolades in national competitions every year.

Target: Asian Games

Q: What was your first reaction after setting a new record at the 79th Senior National Swimming Championship?

A: I was extremely happy to break my own record and register the fastest performance in Indian swimming history while also qualifying for the Commonwealth Games. I improved my personal best after three years, and this achievement is the result of years of hard work and dedication. Achieving it in front of my home crowd made the moment even more special.

Q: How important is qualifying for the Commonwealth Games, and what is your next target?

A: Qualifying for the Commonwealth Games is very significant for me. My immediate goal now is to qualify for the Asian Games later this year.

Q: Are the Centre and state sports policies helpful to athletes?

A: Yes, both policies are moving in the right direction. I have personally benefited from them, and the support extended under these policies has played a role in helping me reach where I am today.

Q: What was going through your mind during the record-breaking race?

A: There is always an element of uncertainty in sports, but I was fully prepared to perform to the best of my ability. Therefore, I was not surprised by the outcome.

Q: What challenges have you faced while progressing in international swimming?

A: As a swimmer from Gujarat, I do not have many complaints. Gujarat has provided me and several other athletes with excellent opportunities to train abroad and develop our abilities. In fact, these opportunities are better than those available in many other states, so I do not feel I could ask for much more.

Q: Who has contributed the most to your journey?

A: My coaches, family, and support team have played an immensely important role in my success. I am especially grateful to my family. My new coach in France has also made a crucial contribution in preparing me for high-level competition.

Q: What message would you like to give to young swimmers and athletes?

A: I would tell young swimmers and athletes across Gujarat and India to believe in themselves and have faith in the hard work they put in. There is no substitute for hard work. If you consistently put in dedicated and high-quality effort over a long period, success is inevitable. I am happy that my hard work has paid off, and I want everyone to remember that perseverance always yields results.

2030 CWG And Sports Policy

A senior official from the Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities Department said, “India has been officially awarded the hosting rights for the 2030 Commonwealth Games. With Ahmedabad set to host the event, both the Central and Gujarat governments are considering additional incentives for athletes under their respective sports policies.” 

“These policies provide selected athletes with support for overseas coaching and exposure tours to help them prepare for international competitions. Financial assistance is also extended for training, equipment, nutrition, and participation in competitions. The overarching aim of the National Sports Policy is to create world-class athletes and strengthen India's preparations for the 2036 Olympic Games,” the official said.