New Delhi, Feb 7, 7.20PM – Asian International School’s Christina Perumal brought pride to Sri Lanka by winning the country’s first medal at the BIMSTEC Youth Aquatic Sports Meet in New Delhi, India. Sri Lanka concluded Day One on a high note, clinching four bronze medals and securing the third spot in the medal tally at the three-day event, which began at the Syama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Pool Complex in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Perumal’s remarkable feat came in the girls’ 200m Breaststroke, where she finished the race in 2 minutes and 52.68 seconds, securing the third position. This achievement holds immense significance for the 16-year-old as it marks her first international medal in her debut international competition.
Sri Lanka grabbed its second bronze medal by Dinali Karunadasa from Visakha Vidyalaya, who clinched the third place in the 200m Individual Medley with a time of 2 minutes and 45.03 seconds.
The Sri Lankan boys’ 4X100m Freestyle relay team, which included Manuja Gamage, Chris Pavithra, Binura Thalagala, and Kaveesha Silva, won a bronze medal with a time of 3 minutes and 43.19 seconds.
In the last event of the day, the Sri Lankan girls’ 4X100m Freestyle relay team, composed of Dinali Karunadasa, Tevindee Methlini, Chanudi Kumarapperuma, and Jessie Seneviratne, also secured a bronze medal in 4:22.98. This marked Sri Lanka’s fourth bronze medal at the end of the first day of the seven-day meet.
Several Sri Lankan swimmers achieved notable results on the first day of the competition. AIS’ Sithuki Yonara secured fourth place in the Women’s 100m Backstroke event, while Neoma Kahandawa finished fourth in both the Women’s 200m IM and 200m Breaststroke races. Binura Talagala achieved two fifth-place finishes in the Men’s 200m IM and 100m Backstroke events. Boys’ team captain Anusara Abeygoonawardane claimed fifth place in the Men’s 200m Freestyle, while Aasif Imran also earned a fifth-place finish in the Men’s 200m Breaststroke. Additionally, Adeetha Siriwardena secured sixth place in the Men’s 100m Backstroke.
