COLOMBO: (ePRESS) – In the blistering heat of Colombo, where champions rise above the rest, a Dubai-based prodigy rewrote the history of Sri Lankan swimming. Julie Daniella Hope, representing Cyclone Aquatics, delivered a performance of unparalleled dominance at the Sri Lanka National and Junior National Short Course Swimming Championship 2024. With five gold medals, four junior national records, and personal bests in every event, the 14-year-old cemented her status as Sri Lanka’s undisputed junior swimming queen.
Adding yet another feather to her illustrious cap, Hope has been named in Sri Lanka’s 23-member national women’s swimming squad announced this week. Julie Daniella Hope turned the Isipathana College Swimming Pool Complex into her personal arena, shattering junior national records with surgical precision.
Hope’s remarkable achievement comes as the natural progression of Sri Lanka’s rich tradition in junior swimming. The last time a swimmer dominated the short course national championships so emphatically was in 2019, when Hiruki de Silva of Gateway College Colombo won all five gold medals while setting junior national records in each event. Hiruki’s performance was considered the benchmark for brilliance in junior swimming, and Hope’s feat not only matches but surpasses that legacy with her record-breaking spree.
Her campaign began with a masterclass in the 200m Backstroke, where she clocked an astounding 2:29.52, obliterating this year’s senior national champion Minagi Rupesinghe’s 2019 record of 2:30.68. Even before the finals, she had already bettered the previous mark in the preliminaries with a 2:30.47, making her dominance clear.
In the 50m Backstroke, Hope stamped her authority with a time of 31.41 seconds, wiping out Akithmi Wasalathanthri’s 2019 record of 31.59. True to form, she had already broken the record in the preliminaries, clocking 31.48 seconds.
The 200m Freestyle saw Julie obliterate last year’s senior national champion Hiruki de Silva’s 2018 record of 2:18.20 by an astonishing four seconds, finishing in 2:14.69. Again, she had rewritten the record during the heats with a time of 2:17.66, highlighting her unparalleled consistency.
In the 100m Backstroke, Hope shattered another record, clocking 1:07.64 to erase Wasalathanthri’s 2019 mark of 1:08.55.
Finally, in the 100m Freestyle, she stormed to victory with a time of 1:02.71, completing an unblemished campaign that showcased her supremacy in every stroke she competed in.
With her five gold medals and four record-breaking feats, Hope amassed an incredible 33 points—25 from her golds and an additional eight for her records. She left her closest rival, Zoe Tollit, far behind with 23 points, emphasizing the sheer gulf in class between her and the rest.
Hope’s total of four junior national records was the highest by any swimmer in this year’s competition, across both National and Junior categories. She didn’t just compete—she redefined the standards for what excellence looks like in junior swimming.
Julie Daniella Hope isn’t just a swimmer; she is the embodiment of a sporting legacy. Her grandfather, the late Lloyd Eric Hope, was a Sri Lanka boxing legend who dominated the ring in the 1950s and 60s. That same fighting spirit now courses through Julie’s veins, propelling her to conquer the pool with the same ferocity her grandfather displayed in the ring.
Born in Sri Lanka but raised in Dubai, Julie’s journey began at the age of seven. Competing against multi-national swimmers in Dubai’s highly-competitive circuits, she has won over 150 medals across all junior age groups. Her talents extend beyond the pool, with victories in 800m, 1600m, and 3200m open-water championships further showcasing her versatility.
Training under Coach Lazar Zlatic, Julie has thrived in the indoor swimming environment of Dubai. However, competing in Sri Lanka’s outdoor pools, battling heat and humidity, presented a new challenge. Rising above the discomfort, she delivered performances that not only matched but exceeded her best, proving her adaptability and resilience.
Her recent selection to Sri Lanka’s national swimming squad highlights her standing as one of the country’s brightest swimming talents. This marks a significant milestone in her career, setting the stage for her to represent Sri Lanka in international competitions and make her mark in the international pool.
A Grade 10 Science Stream student at Dubai Scholars Private School, Julie balances academics and athletics with remarkable discipline. Her parents, recognizing her potential, are actively seeking sponsorship to support her journey to international glory.
Julie Daniella Hope isn’t just a swimmer; she is the future of Sri Lankan aquatic sports. Her record-breaking performances in both long-course and short-course championships this year have established her reputation as a generational talent.
The 2024 Short Course Nationals were not just a victory for Hope—they were a statement. She announced herself as a dominant force, a name to be feared and revered in junior swimming. Her achievements are a beacon of hope for Sri Lanka, signaling the arrival of a champion ready to take on the world.
Sri Lanka has found its new swimming icon—a young girl with the heart of a lion, ready to rule the pool with unmatched brilliance. The world better watch out because Julie Daniella Hope is just getting started.
