COLOMBO: (ePRESS) – Kithmi Marambe of Bishop’s College and Royal College diving captain Venuka Kankanamge emerged as the national diving champions at the 48th National Division Championship, organized by the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) at the Sugathadasa Stadium Swimming Pool Complex in Colombo.
Nineteen-year-old Marambe, representing Bishop’s College for the last time, completed her third consecutive national championship with an excellent performance. Known for her exceptional skill, she clinched three gold medals, sweeping all three events. Marambe is also a medalist from Sri Lanka at the recent BIMSTEC Aquatic Championship in India, where she further cemented her reputation as a top diver.
In the Platform event, Marambe won gold with 185.35 points, while her Bishop’s College teammates secured the other podium spots. Selina Silva claimed silver with 128.15 points, and captain Imaaya Perera took bronze with 119.25 points.
The 1m Springboard event saw Marambe once again atop the podium with 133 points. Her teammate, captain Imaaya Perera, earned silver with 123.2 points, and St. Bridget’s Convent’s Kisara Ranawaka took bronze with 116.15 points.
In the 3m Springboard, Marambe dominated with a score of 157.55 points, taking home her third gold. Kisara Ranawaka won silver with 138.95 points, while Bishop’s College captain Imaaya Perera added another bronze to her tally, scoring 135.4 points.
On the men’s side, Royal College diving captain Venuka Kankanamge secured the senior national championship title for the first time in his career. The 19-year-old Kankanamge won two gold medals and one silver, displaying his immense talent.
In the 1m Springboard, Kankanamge claimed gold with 162.1 points. Fellow Royalist Ruel Wickramarathne earned silver with 161.25 points, and Royalist Seniru Rodrigo took bronze with 152.55 points.
Kankanamge excelled in the 3m Springboard, scoring a massive 190 points to win gold. Wickramarathne followed with 172.9 points for silver, while Dhruv Perera of S. Thomas’ College secured bronze with 161.5 points.
In the Platform event, Kankanamge won silver with 180.65 points. The gold medal went to 14-year-old Ruel Wickramarathne, who scored 189.4 points to become the youngest diver to win the Platform event at a national championship.
