Senior Women’s National Champion Hiruki de Silva of KWA receiving her trophy from SLASU General Secretary Mahinda Liyanage. (Picture by Dushmantha Mayadunne)
Veteran swimmer Matthew Abeysinghe and rising star MF Muhammad both claimed five gold medals each at the Long Course National Swimming Championship, which was organized by the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union and concluded at the Sugathadasa Stadium Swimming Pool on Sunday.
Twenty- eight year-old Matthew Abeysinghe of Killer Whale Aquatics (KWA) competed in his last event in Sri Lanka. Despite his imminent retirement, he displayed his enduring skill by winning gold in all five of his events. Abeysinghe’s victories were a fitting conclusion to his illustrious career and secured him the Joint Senior National Men’s Championship title.
Fifteen -year-old MF Muhammad from Zahira College matched Abeysinghe’s tally, winning five gold medals to share the Senior National Men’s Championship. Muhammad’s final and crucial victory came in the 200m Individual Medley, where he outpaced Binura Thalalaga of KWA by nearly two seconds. This triumph added to his earlier wins in the 50m Breaststroke, 100m Breaststroke, 200m Breaststroke, and 400m Individual Medley.
Hiruki de Silva of KWA continued her reign in the Senior National Women’s Championship, claiming five gold medals. Her consistent performance led the KWA women’s team to victory, establishing her status as a top women swimmer..
The contributions of Abeysinghe and de Silva were pivotal in KWA winning the Long Course National Swimming Championship. This victory marks yet another year of KWA’s dominance in Sri Lankan swimming, maintaining their stronghold on senior titles for a decade.
The Long Course National Swimming Championship highlighted the best of Sri Lankan swimming talent. The performances of Matthew Abeysinghe, MF Muhammad, and Hiruki de Silva not only highlighted individual excellence but also featured the strength of KWA as a powerhouse in the sport.
SAJEEWA JAYAKODY
