Nine records tumble at Swimming Nationals
Nine new national records were established at the National and Junior National Aquatic Championships that concluded at the Sugathadasa Swimming Complex last weekend. The fleet of new records included national swimmer Akalanka Peiris, who bettered his 50m backstroke timing from 26.15secs to 26.12secs in the Men’s Open category representing Sri Lanka Army. Anusara Abeygoonawardane and Ramudi Samarakoon of Killer Whale Aquatics, also posted their new timings of 8.49.80mins in the Men’s Open 800m freestyle and 1.14.77mins in the Women’s Open 100m breaststroke events, as their club finished second in the overall winners accumulating 322 points.
Peiris, a potential participant at this December’s FINA championship, speaking to the Sunday Times immediately after shattering yet another record, said “I feel good. I did this with the support of my parents and family. I should mention my mentors Akila, Hasintha, and Asanka. I trained alone in a hotel for two to three months under a lot of circumstances”. “Last six months had been crazy for me. It was mixed with mental and physical struggles during this period. I am very happy because I broke my own record thrice over within those six months, under those circumstances”.
Killer Whale Aquatics ‘A’ shattered the record in the Women’s 200m medley relay after clocking 2.10.28mins. The winning team included Akithmi Wasalathanthri, Anithra Johnpillai, Minuri Bartholamuse, and Ramudi Samarakoon. Sirimavo Bandaranayaka Vidyalaya has adjudged the junior relay champions after topping the Under-15 Women’s category.
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