COLOMBO: (ePRESS) – In a strong performance at the 46th Long Course Swimming Nationals organized by Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union held at the Sugathadasa Swimming Pool Complex, DS Senanayake College’s four-member senior men’s swimming team finished as the overall runner-up. This notable achievement marks a historic milestone for the school, establishing them as the top school in the senior men’s category.
The team, consisting of Yasir Aslam, Shaqib Riyaj, Yasith Wijesundara, and Nethum Punchihewa, achieved a remarkable performance, becoming the first DS Senanayake College swimming team to claim a runner-up spot in a national competition.
Competing in 22 events, including both individual and relay races, the team accumulated 299 points. They finished behind Killer Whale Aquatics (KWA), who won with 768 points. The DS Senanayake team reached the finals (top 8) in 18 events and earned seven podium finishes, including two gold medals, six silver medals, and two bronze medals.
Yasir Aslam competed intensely in the breaststroke events. He placed 6th in the 200m Breaststroke with a time of 2:38.19, 7th in the 50m Breaststroke clocking 32.38, and 8th in the 100m Breaststroke, finishing in 1:11.26.
Shaqib Riyaj won a silver medal in the grueling 400m Individual Medley with a time of 5:04.48 and bronze place in the 200m Breaststroke, finishing in 2:34.27. In the 100m Breaststroke, he achieved 5th place with a time of 1:10.20, 6th place in the 50m Breaststroke at 32.19, and 7th place in the 200m Freestyle, clocking 2:05.02.
Yashith Wijesundara emerged as a standout swimmer, particularly in freestyle events. He won the gold medald in both the 1500m Freestyle (17:46.98) and 800m Freestyle (9:06.43). He also secured silver medal in the 400m Freestyle with a time of 4:22.29 and bronze medal in the 200m Freestyle, finishing in 2:00.55. Additionally, Yashith placed 4th in the 100m Butterfly stroke, clocking 58.95. His achievements highlighted his endurance and speed, making him one of the top performers in the championship.
Nethum Punchihewa also contributed to the team’s success, competing in the 1500m Freestyle and finishing 8th with a time of 19:26.63.
Together, these four swimmers also participated in relay events, displaying their teamwork and collective strength. The DS Senanayake team won the silver medal in the 4×100m Medley Relay with a time of 4:14.20. In the 4×200m Freestyle Relay, they placed 4th, clocking 8:40.83. They secured 5th place in the 4×100m Freestyle Relay with a time of 3:51.59 and 7th place in the 4×50m Medley Relay, finishing in 1:55.64.
Under the guidance of coach Janaka Prasad from Colombo Swimming Academy, the team outperformed the second runners-up, Lyceum International School Wattala, by over 50 points. The squad, composed of 16 and 17-year-olds, set a new benchmark for the school, surpassing other renowned schools such as Trinity College, St Peter’s College, St Joseph’s College, and Ananda College.
This achievement follows their fifth-place finish at the Short Course Nationals held in Kandy last December. The team’s success at both events highlights their growth and potential in the competitive swimming arena.
The outstanding performances of Yasir Aslam, Shaqib Riyaj, Yashith Wijesundara, and Nethum Punchihewa at the National Long Course Championship have cemented their reputations as rising stars in Sri Lankan swimming.
