Kandy, Dec 31, Sun – The cheers echoed louder than the splashes as the Ananda College Junior Swimming Team clinched the Junior National Title at the Sri Lanka Short Course Swimming National Championship. The event, held at the Hillwood College Swimming Pool in Kandy, concluded on a high note, showcasing outstanding performances and record-breaking feats.
Under the guidance of Coach Nishantha Kumarapperuma, the 10-member Ananda College junior swimming squad made waves by securing an impressive 195 points. This accomplishment was no small feat, as it meant surpassing last year’s champions, St Joseph’s College Colombo, who garnered 147 points. The Asian International School secured the third position with 107 points.
Expressing gratitude, Head Coach Nishantha Kumarapperuma said, “This victory is a result of coaches’ and swimmers’ commitment. I am thankful to Master-in-Charge Vishwajith for his support, and Ananda College Principal Lal Dissanayake for the great backing.”
The star of the show was record-breaker Mihith Ekneligoda, a fourteen-year-old swimmer, who not only secured eight gold medals and one silver medal but also set eight new Junior National Records. Ekneligoda’s victories included setting new meet records in the 50m backstroke, 100m backstroke, 200m backstroke, and 50m butterfly. He also bagged a silver medal in the 100m Individual Medley, surpassing the previous meet record.
Ekneligoda’s prowess extended to the relay events, where the Under-15 quartet, comprising Ekneligoda, Nethula Dabare, Kapugurubandara, and Thenuka Thirasaru, made history. They secured gold medals and set new meet records in all four events: 4x50m medley relay, 4x50m freestyle relay, 4x100m freestyle relay, and 4x100m medley relay. This historic achievement marked the first time in the history of the Junior National Championship that boys set records in all four relay events.
Nethula Dabare, another standout performer, claimed two gold medals in 50m breaststroke and 100m breaststroke, setting a record in the latter. Additionally, he secured a silver medal in the 100m freestyle event.
The Ananda College Junior Swimming Team’s remarkable performance not only reclaimed the championship title but also showcased the dedication, skill, and spirit of these young athletes, setting a new standard for excellence in junior swimming.
