He is the best swimmer Sri Lanka has ever produced. Starting his sporting career from his early childhood he went on to win many titles.
He is the current Sri Lankan record holder in the 50m freestyle (23.62), 100m freestyle (50.53), 200m freestyle (1:52.45), 400m freestyle (4:03.90), 1500 freestyle (16:23.61), 50 backstroke (26.94), 200 individual medley (2:07.33), 400 individual medley (4:42.22) and 100m butterfly (55.32).
Apart from that he was the first ever Lankan swimmer to qualify in the Olympics after he set a Sri Lanka record 50.53 in 100m freestyle in recent Hong Kong Swimming Meet recently. Today T' n C goes “off the field” with extremely talented Mathew Abeysinghe.
Q: What made you enter the world of sports ?
At first I started swimming just for water safety. After that I loved it and found out I was good at it so I continued doing it and got better and better.
Q: Who has supported you most?
Definitely my family. And especially my dad who has been my coach for the past 10 years and has made the entire plan from the time I was 10 years old to get me to the point that I’m at now in my career.
Q: What do you do for fun?
I like to play basketball, watch movies and hang out with my friends.
Q: What are the top priorities in your life?
My family and swimming. Not just my own swimming but helping the next generation of swimmers improve as well.
Q: What was your most unforgettable memory/ incident?
Now qualifying for the Olympics in the 100 Free is one of them. Two more are ; the 4x100 Freestyle relay from South Asian Games where Sri Lanka beat India in the relay for the first time in 25 years to win gold, and the feeling after finishing the 100 Freestyle at South Asian games which was my seventh gold medal and knowing I had achieved my goal of winning seven golds.
Q: What’s your favourite holiday destination ?
Probably Maldives or Italy.
Q: What is the greatest accomplishment in your life?
There are a few that come to mind that I’m quite proud of but two of them are being the first Sri Lankan to ever qualify for the Olympics in swimming, I take a lot of pride in that. Also being the first Sri Lankan to medal in swimming at the Asian level when I won bronze in the 100m Freestyle at the 2013 Youth Asian Games in Nanjing, China. And of course the seven gold medals at South Asian Games in India.
Q: If you had one day left to live, what would you do?
Just spend a lot of time with my family and make sure they know how much they mean to me and how much they’ve helped me achieve everything I have achieved up to this point in my life.
Q: Who do you sometimes compare yourself to?
I don’t really like to compare myself to anybody I just try to be the best version of myself that I can and be different from other people.
Q: What's the best compliment you have received?
Not really sure I try not to let compliments get to my head so I forget them most of the time.
Q: Are you happy with all your achievements?
Happy of course, but definitely not satisfied yet, I have a lot more goals to achieve before I’ll be satisfied.
Q: What are favourite movies ?
There are a few that come to mind but mostly; Remember the Titans, Miracle, Glory Road and Gladiator.
Q: Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
I’m definitely doing what I believe in and what I love. I love swimming and it’s an honour to be able to do so for my country, it’s a dream come true. Also I believe that I can make a difference in the lives of younger generations of swimmers in Sri Lanka and pave a path for them to follow and one day hopefully surpass.
Q: How would you describe yourself in two words?
Extremely competitive.
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