Kandy, Dec 31, Sun – Despite the rain trying to dampen spirits, Killer Whale Aquatics (KWA) made a splash at the Sri Lanka National Short Course Swimming Championship which concluded on Saturday at Hillwood College Swimming Pool in Kandy. Coach Manoj Abeysinghe’s guidance steered KWA to an exceptional achievement, securing both the men’s and women’s Senior National titles for third consecutive years.
The 11-member men’s team from KWA left a lasting impression, amassing an impressive 424 points, surpassing the Maldives Swimming Association (107 points) and the Sri Lanka Army (103 points). This victory etched history as the first time a foreign team participated in the Sri Lanka Nationals.
Under Coach Manoj Abeysinghe’s mentorship, KWA’s seven-member women’s team garnered 308 points in the senior segment, outclassing competitors like Asian International School (197 points) and Lyceum International School Wattala (126 points), the reigning champions of this year’s Inter-International School Swimming Competition.
KWA’s dominance extended to individual events, achieving a clean sweep by securing all three medals in 10 events. Both the Men’s and Women’s Teams emerged victorious in every relay, showcasing exceptional performance. In total, KWA swimmers, representing both the club and various schools, clinched an impressive haul of 39 gold, 29 silver, and 27 bronze medals in individual events, along with 10 Golds, 8 Silvers, and one Bronze in the relays.
The standout 23-year-old Kyle Abeysinghe, a star swimmer of KWA, earned the coveted title of Best Swimmer in the senior national division, outperforming competitors from the Sri Lanka Army and his fellow KWA swimmer Anusara Abeygoonawardane.
In the women’s division, KWA’s Hiruki de Silva emerged as the Women’s Best Swimmer, surpassing her training partner Ganga Seneviratne of KWA. In the junior segment, KWA’s Vandani Fernando and Ananda College’s Mihith Ekneligoda secured the titles of Best Girl Swimmer and Best Junior Boys Swimmer, respectively.
KWA’s excellence extended to setting new records, including a Men’s 4x50m Medley Relay and outstanding performances in the Boy’s 800m and 1500m Freestyle events.
Noteworthy is the fact that all four members of the Asian International School Women’s team—Christina Perumal, Sithuki Yonara, Vishalini, and Nethuka—are currently training at KWA.
With this remarkable performance, KWA has now secured the senior nationals title 22 times in both Long Course and Short Course, solidifying their position as a powerhouse in Sri Lanka swimming. The rain may have fallen, but KWA’s success has risen to new heights.
Men’s Team Overall Championship: Killer Whale Aquatics’ guys ruled the pool, winning the Men’s Team Overall Championship. They showed amazing teamwork and skill, earning the top spot.
Women’s Team Overall Championship: The women of Killer Whale Aquatics matched the men’s success, securing the Women’s Team Overall Championship. It was a double win for the team, showing their strength in both categories.
Girl’s Junior. National Champion – Vandani Fernando: Vandani Fernando, a bright young talent, became the Girl’s Junior National Champion. .
Women’s National Champion – Hiruki De Silva: Hiruki De Silva shone bright, claiming the title of Women’s National Champion. Her exceptional swimming skills made her stand out in the competition.
Men’s National Champion – Kyle Abeysinghe: Kyle Abeysinghe, a standout athlete, earned the title of Men’s National Champion. His skill and determination were unmatched in the pool.
National and Junior National Records: The team made history by setting three new National and Junior National records:
- Men’s 4x50m Medley Relay (Matthew Abeysinghe, Vinul Senanayake, Anusara Abeygunawardane, and Kyle Abeysinghe)
- Boy’s 1500m Freestyle (Muaaz Bary)
- Boy’s 800m Freestyle (Lithum De Silva)
Relay Dominance: Killer Whale Aquatics relay teams were unbeatable, securing an incredible 10 Gold medals in each of the 5 relays in both the Men’s and Women’s categories. Even the Men’s B team pitched in, winning 3 Silver and 1 Bronze medals, showing the depth of talent in the team.
This recap captures the incredible success of Killer Whale Aquatics at the National Swimming Championships. Their teamwork, individual brilliance, and record-breaking performances made them the true champions of the pool.
