Adelaide, AUSTRALIA: (ePRESS) – Sri Lanka’s top backstroke swimmer, Akalanka Peiris, has set two new national records in the 50m and 100m Backstroke events at the Australian Short Course (25m) Swimming Nationals held in Adelaide. The 24-year-old swimmer broke his own previous records, marking a significant achievement in his career.
This is the first time in five years that Peiris has set new personal bests. His previous national records in the 50m and 100m backstroke were established at the 2019 South Asian Games in Kathmandu, Nepal.
In the Men’s 100m Backstroke event, Peiris clocked an impressive 53.47 seconds, smashing his own previous record of 54.14 seconds, which he had set during 2019 South Asian Games in Kathmandu, Nepal. This performance placed him among the top 10 swimmers in the Australian contingent.
In the Men’s 50m Backstroke, where he is ranked among the world’s best 20 swimmers, clocked a new national record of 24.52 seconds. This achievement was even more remarkable as it placed him among Australia’s top six backstroke swimmers, erasing his own previous national record of 24.95 seconds, which he set in the same 2019 South Asian Games in Kathmandu, Nepal.
The Sri Lankan swimmer’s rise has been nothing short of impressive, particularly considering his journey over the past year. Despite not being selected for 2024 Paris Olympics, Peiris has remained focused and dedicated to improving his performance. Recently, he began training in freestyle events, a decision that has paid off handsomely.
In just a short period of training, Peiris achieved the fastest Men’s 100m Freestyle time recorded by a Sri Lankan swimmer in the recent past. He swam an astounding 49.92 seconds, breaking the 50-second barrir. This performance came very close to the Sri Lanka national record of 49.27 seconds, set by double Olympian Matthew Abeysinghe at the 2019 South Asian Games in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Peiris’ freestyle performances have been equally impressive. In the Men’s 50m Freestyle, he clocked a personal best of 22.98 seconds, a significant improvement for Sri Lanka’s swimming. His time is a clear indication of the progress Sri Lankan swimmers have made in recent years, with the current national record standing at 22.16 seconds, set by Matthew Abeysinghe during the same 2019 South Asian Games in Kathmandu, Nepal.
This series of breakthroughs highlights Peiris’ versatility and growing dominance in four swimming disciplines. His backstroke and freestyle performances are an evidence to his hard work and determination to be among the best in Australia.
As Peiris prepares for the World Aquatic Championships, his remarkable achievements at the Australian Swimming Nationals have placed him on the map as one of Sri Lanka’s brightest swimming talents. With his sights set on further improving his times, Peiris’ journey in the international swimming promises even more success in the future.
