COLOMBO: (ePRESS) – Asian International School (AIS) celebrated a remarkable victory as their rowers dominated the Men’s Junior National Championship at the 39th National Rowing Championship. The school’s Principal and Sports Department honored the winning team for their outstanding performance.
The AIS men’s team emerged as champions at the 39th National Rowing Championship, organized by the Sri Lanka Amateur Rowing Association at the Diyawanna Rowing Centre in Battaramulla.
Under the guidance of Coach Sanjeewa Guruge, AIS rowers clinched an impressive tally of 10 gold medals, six silver medals, and two bronze medals. Co-captain Shaylon Gunaratna stood out by securing triple gold medals and also claiming the prestigious Schoolboy Sculler Shield.
Guided by Principal Harshana Perera and Sports Department Head Nihara Bagoos, the AIS sports team showed off exceptional talent, capturing the Junior National Men’s Championship title. They outshone several leading Colombo-based rowing schools, including Royal College, S Thomas’ College, Ananda College, DS Senanayake College, Gateway College, St Joseph’s College, St Peter’s College, and Wesley College.
AIS holds the distinction of being the pioneer international school to introduce rowing in Sri Lanka. The school has produced the highest number of national-level players within its ranks. Four AIS rowers—Shaylon Gunaratna, Shivendra Goonewardene, Venuk Panduwawala, and Rovinya Wijesekera—represent the Sri Lankan national rowing squad.
Furthermore, three AIS rowers—Luqman Rizmeer, Dayan Haleemdeen, and Joel Weerasinghe—participate in Sri Lanka’s Youth Development Programme. Additionally, two AIS players—Sonal Tranchell and Shayden Gunaratna—are included in the Sri Lanka Development Squad.
Nihara Bagoos, Head of Sports at AIS, attributed the team’s success to the direct guidance of the Sports Department and the athletes’ unwavering dedication. Through six months of rigorous training and commitment, the AIS rowers achieved incredible feats, concluding in their championship victory.
Front row (from left): Daanish Haleemdeen, Inesh Peiris, Harshana Perera (Principal), Yusuf Rizmeer (co- captain), Shaylon Gunaratna (co-caaptain), Sanjeewa Guruge (coach), Shiviandra Goonewardena.
Second row (from left): Liyan Jayasena, Joel Weerasingham, Umulbaneen Mustansir, Hussain Anverally, Raaidh Rasheed, Shayden Gunaratna, Shana Abbas, Diyan Haleemdeen, Binuk Premaratne
Back row (from left): Chanul Vithanage, Aaron Weerasingham, Venuk Panduwawala, Avishka Wijegunartne, Abhishek Wijegunartne, Sonal Tranchell, Luquman Rizmeer
