VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA: (ePRESS) – Sri Lankan swimmer Akalanka Peiris, based in Australia, continues to shine on the international arena. At the UNCLOUD Victorian Open Short Course Championships held at MSAC in Victoria, Australia, the 24-year-old set two new national records in the men’s 50m and 100m backstroke events, further establishing his reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s top swimmers.
In the 100m backstroke, Peiris delivered an impressive performance, clocking a time of 53.63 seconds to win the silver medal. This time not only secured his place on the podium but also broke his previous national record of 54.14 seconds, which he set at the South Asian Games in Kathmandu in 2019. Peiris’s ability to shave over half a second off his previous best is a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence.
Peiris’s success continued in his signature event, the 50m backstroke. Competing against over 60 swimmers, he clinched the gold medal with a remarkable time of 24.66 seconds in the final. This performance broke the previous national record of 24.95 seconds, which Peiris had also set at the 2019 South Asian Games in Kathmandu. His consistent improvement is evident, as he initially set a new national record of 24.90 seconds in the heats before surpassing it again in the final.
Peiris’s achievements at the Victorian Open Short Course Championships are just the latest in a long list of recognition. He has previously won medals at the South Asian Games, Asian Age Group Championships, and Asian Schools Championships. Additionally, he has represented Sri Lanka at major international competitions, including the Youth Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Youth Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and World Championships.
Last year, Peiris made headlines by finishing third in the 50m backstroke at the Australian nationals, emphasizing his strong position in the discipline. His performance in the Victorian Championships highlights his place among the top 25 swimmers internationally in the 50m backstroke.
Looking ahead, Peiris has his sights set on the Australian Nationals in September. His goal is to secure a place in the final and rank among the top eight swimmers in Australia. Peiris remains dedicated to not only achieving personal success but also bringing pride to Sri Lanka on the international swimming.
Beyond his backstroke events, Peiris also competed in the 50m freestyle at the Victorian Championships, where he finished fourth with a personal best time of 22.72 seconds. This result adds to his impressive resume and display his versatility as a swimmer.
