St. Peter’s swimmers aim cross-hairs high
View(s):For the first time in the history of the Junior National Short Course Swimming Championship, St. Peter’s College Colombo emerged runners-up, after falling agonisingly short by just five points behind the overall winners.
The meet was held at the D.S. Senanayake College Swimming Pool Complex on March 23 and 24. The Peterite swimmers were among the top performers of the two-day event, where a total of 36 schools competed. This was a major boost for the swimmers of St. Peter’s, whose hero was undoubtedly Akalanka Peiris, who smashed five meet records at the event.
Akalanka, competing in the Under-14 Open category, clocked an impressive 1:04:51 seconds in the 100m Butterfly Stroke event. He claimed his second record by timing 1:08.00 seconds in the 100m Backstroke event while winning the 50m Butterfly stroke event in 28.08 seconds. He established another new record in the 50m Backstroke with a timing of 30.69 seconds before his last feat in the 50m Freestyle event where Akalanka finished in 26.86 seconds.
For his prolific performances, Akalanka was also crowned the champion swimmer of the event. He was also the champion swimmer of the Pentathlon Championship, the Sri Lanka Schools Swimming Championship and the National Age Group Championship held in 2011, with this year’s performance added another feather to cap glowing with merits. Earlier in his career, Akalanka added four national records to his credentials and became the first Peterite to be crowned a triple champion in a national swimming event.
At this year’s Junior National Short Course Swimming event, Akalanka was also a member of the 4x50m Medley Relay team which emerged champions. Others who represented St. Peter’s in the race were Dewin Ranasinghe, Rasitha Perera and Tharushe Galappaththi. In the 4x50m Freestyle Relay event St. Peter’s secured the second place. The team included Akalanka, Nimesh Wimalasiri, Rasitha Perera and Tharushe Galappaththi.
St. Peter’s swimmers are presently thriving, growing into a strong side under the guidance of coaches Mahi Chandralal, Upul Vijithasiri and Rajindra Perera with the able support of master-in-charge Jude Denzil Fernando and teacher-in-charge Sujeewa Dias. Under the direction of the Rector Rev. Fr. Travis Gabriel and sports coordinator Rev. Fr. Lakmin Silva, the Peterite swimmers receive the fullest assistance from their Swimming Pool Management Committee and swimming pool staff. – NA
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