COLOMBO: (ePRESS) – Minagi Rupesinghe, representing Killer Whale Aquatics (KWA), made history by claiming the Women’s National Champion title at the Sri Lanka National and Junior National Short Course Swimming Championship held at the Isipathana College Swimming Pool Complex last week.
At just 19 years old, Rupesinghe’s extraordinary performance saw her break three national records and win five gold medals, establishing her place as the best performer among the national level in the five-day national championship.
Rupesinghe, an alumna of St. Bridget’s Convent, Colombo displayed her authority by claiming gold in the 800m Freestyle, 400m Individual Medley, 1500m Freestyle, 200m Backstroke, and 100m Backstroke. She stood out as the only swimmer at the event — male or female — to set new national records.
Her most remarkable performance came in the 400m Individual Medley, where she smashed former KWA swimmer Machiko Raheem’s 2015 record of 5:13.26 by clocking an astonishing 5:08.03. In the 800m Freestyle, she finished at 9:29.51, surpassing another former KWA swimmer Ishani Senanayake’s 2016 record of 9:33.04. Her most jaw-dropping achievement was in the 1500m Freestyle, where she crushed Rushalee Dissanayake’s previous record with a phenomenal time of 18:14.73, slicing more than 40 seconds off the previous mark.
Rupesinghe’s journey has been one of relentless determination. Currently studying and working in the UK, she manages to balance her academic, professional, and athletic commitments with remarkable poise.
She now holds five national records — three in short course and two in long course (800m and 1500m Freestyle). Her unique distinction as the only Sri Lankan female swimmer to compete in both pool and open-water events at World Aquatic competitions speaks volumes about her versatility and endurance.
Her international career began at the 2019 South Asian Games, where she was among the youngest on the Sri Lankan team. Since then, she has competed at the World Aquatics Junior World Swimming Championships in Peru (2022) and Israel (2023), and the World Junior Open Water Championships in Italy (2024).
These international experiences have sharpened her skills, and her consistent performances have made her a respected name in the Sri Lankan swimming circuit.
Sri Lankan swimming star Minagi Rupesinghe has emerged as one of the country’s brightest prospects for the upcoming South Asian Games scheduled for early next year. With five national records and international experience under her belt, Rupesinghe is expected to be a key contender, carrying Sri Lanka’s hopes for swimming glory in the South Asian Games pool. Her recent record-breaking performances have positioned her as a top medal prospect in the highly competitive championship.
