COLOMBO: (ePRESS): – A significant chapter in Sri Lankan swimming closes as Matthew Abeysinghe, the country’s celebrated “golden boy,” prepares to compete for the final time at the Sri Lanka Long Course National Championship. The event, organized by the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU), begins tomorrow at the Sugathadasa Stadium Swimming Pool in Colombo.
Matthew Abeysinghe, a three-time Olympian, is celebrated as the greatest athlete in South Asian Games history. Over his 14-year national swimming career, he has amassed an impressive collection of 14 gold medals, two silver medals, and one bronze across just two editions of the South Asian Games (SAG) in 2016 and 2019. This remarkable achievement makes him the most decorated athlete in SAG history. His continued success has left many wondering how many more medals he could have won if the games had been held regularly.
At 28, Abeysinghe is renowned for his freestyle expertise. He holds nine out of the 20 Long Course national records in Sri Lanka, a testament to his dominance in the sport. His career includes representing Sri Lanka at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
The Long Course National Championship, running from today until July 28 (Sunday), will feature five days of intense competition. SLASU invites all swimming enthusiasts to honor Abeysinghe’s contributions by supporting him as he represents his club, Killer Whale Aquatics, in his final competition.
Killer Whale Aquatics has recently enjoyed significant success, winning both the Men’s and Women’s Senior National Championships for several consecutive years. Meanwhile, St. Joseph’s College and Lyceum International School Gampaha claimed the Junior National Championships.
Heats for the championship will begin at 8:30 AM daily, with finals scheduled to start at 2:30 PM. As the nation bids farewell to its swimming star, this event is not just a competition but a tribute to Matthew Abeysinghe’s extraordinary career and lasting impact on Sri Lankan swimming.
