SINGAPORE, Aug 18 (ePRESS) – Sri Lanka’s aquatic community was left stunned today as veteran diver Chanaka Wickramasinghe clinched a historic silver medal at the World Aquatic Masters Championship in Singapore,
becoming not only the first Sri Lankan diver to compete in the Masters but also the first to win a medal at the world event.
Wickramasinghe, competing in the Men’s 1m Springboard (40-44 years) category, scored 213.20 points to secure the silver medal. He finished ahead of Eric William Elevins of East Coast, who claimed bronze with 209.05 points, while Martinez Ismael won gold with 233.75 points.
A proud product of Royal College Colombo, Wickramasinghe himself dominated the national stage in the early 2000s, winning the national diving championship for more than a decade consecutively before turning full-time coach.
Now 40, he has turned that experience into success as a mentor. Serving as the diving coach of Royal College and St. Bridget’s Convent in Colombo, Wickramasinghe has guided both schools to multiple national titles, including the overall crowns at the recently concluded 49th National Aquatic Championship.
Since joining Royal College’s coaching staff 16 years ago, he has produced a string of national champions, continuing a diving tradition he once embodied as an athlete. His medal in Singapore adds a new international chapter to both his career and Sri Lanka’s diving history.
His participation at the Masters Championship was made possible with the support of Allianz Insurance and Owen Tudor Solicitors, who sponsored his trip to Singapore.
For Sri Lanka, Wickramasinghe’s triumph marks a breakthrough in a sport long overshadowed by swimming and water polo, and brings fresh pride and honour to the island’s aquatic heritage.
