Colombo, Mar 19, 7.30PM – In a stunning debut performance, Kewan Ranepura, a 14-year-old swimmer from Lyceum International School Gampaha, emerged victorious in the Boys Under-15 category and was hailed as the Best Performer of the Junior Boys at the prestigious 85th Maount Lavinia Two-mile Sea Swim. The event, which is Sri Lanka’s oldest open water swimming competition, was organized by the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) and proudly sponsored by the Mount Lavinia Hotel. Held at the picturesque Mount Lavinia Hotel Public Beach, the event witnessed Ranepura’s remarkable feat that left spectators in awe.
Clocking an impressive time of 48 minutes and 33.32 seconds, the 14-year-old swimmer surged ahead, leaving his competitors trailing behind. His lead of 37 seconds over the second-place finisher, MS Silva of Dharmasoka College, underscored his dominance in the race, which saw participation from 71 swimmers.
Ranepura’s triumph not only brought glory to his school but also propelled Lyceum International School Gampaha to the third position in the Junior Boys team championship standings. Remarkably, Ranepura stood as the sole representative of his school in this prestigious event, contributing 30 crucial points to secure the commendable third-place finish.
What makes Ranepura’s achievement even more remarkable is the fact that he had never trained in the sea before. Under the guidance of renowned coaches including former Olympic swimmer Jullian Bolling and Penuka Wijemanna, Ranepura honed his skills, deftly navigating the challenges of open water swimming.
Acknowledging the pivotal role played by his mentors, Ranepura expressed gratitude towards his coaches, Kamal Jayarathne, Narada de Mel, and Consultant Coach Shehan Dias, whose expertise and guidance were instrumental in his success. The unwavering support and guidance provided by Teachers-in-Charge Ms. Chandima Roopasinghe and Sakuni Jayakody further fueled Ranepura’s dedication to excel.
Reflecting on Ranepura’s victory, Tharaka Thennakoon, Head of Sports at Lyceum International School Gampaha, expressed immense pride and admiration. “I believe this is a truly significant victory,” remarked Thennakoon. “Achieving champion status in sea swimming requires not only exceptional skill but also unwavering confidence, training, and dedication. I am incredibly proud of Kewan’s accomplishment.”
