A star of a different sort
Over the years, several inspiring stories have emerged of young Sri Lankan athletes capturing global attention and bringing glory to their country, with some achievements becoming everlasting memories. Tharusha Perera is one such youngster who aspired to become a frontrunner in the next generation of open water swimmers in the country. However, Tharusha’s tale differs somewhat from the usual success stories we hear.
Having migrated to Australia with his parents at an early age, Tharusha was exposed to the country’s competitive sporting environment from the outset. His parents noticed his passion and eagerness for sports early on. He initially pursued cricket and then swimming, eventually balancing both sports simultaneously for several months. At just 9 years old, Tharusha had already shown potential in both disciplines. Eventually, his family faced a decision about which sport he should continue, as allocating time for both became difficult. After much deliberation, Tharusha decided to give up cricket and prioritise his development as a swimmer.
Tharusha Perera, born and bred in Sri Lanka, now an emerging swimming star in the land Down Under
Initially we had to face challenges to ensure Tharusha’s progress was not hindered. We had to travel long distances and find a suitable club that would enable him to evolve as an athlete,” Tharusha’s father recalled.
Until the age of 11, Tharusha participated only in pool events, but his life took a turn when he met former Australian Commonwealth Games gold medallist Kelly Stubbins, who is also an accomplished coach. She was instrumental in identifying and nurturing Tharusha’s talent as an open water swimmer.
“My coach Kelly Stubbins played a key role in encouraging me to become an open water swimmer. She realised that I had significant potential as an open water athlete and predicted that I would have a long and successful career in open water swimming,” Tharusha recalled while narrating his journey.
In 2018 he competed in his maiden open water swimming competition held in Victoria. Tharusha swam in the 400m event and by the time he completed the event he was exhausted. But he said the exposure from the competition was invaluable for his initial development, as the gritty youngster was preparing to counter more challenges ahead.
“Initially I was nervous. I wasn’t aware of challenges at that time but as time progressed I was able to overcome them with the guidance of my coach,” he said.
The life of an open water athlete is interconnected with nature. The most challenging aspect is dealing with fluctuating weather conditions, unlike in the pool where conditions remain constant. In the ocean, waves and currents change, and swimmers may have to protect themselves from jellyfish stings and many other marine creatures. Compared to pool events, athletes need tremendous resilience to compete in open water competitions. I always visualise the competitions and prepare thoroughly for the race,” Tharusha elaborated.
Early identification and methodical training under his coach Stubbins’ guidance was the catalyst that enabled young Tharusha to perform according to his abilities. Since winning gold in the Victorian Open Water Championship in the 2019/2020 season, Tharusha has consistently remained among the top three fastest open water swimmers in Victoria.
With a medal he won representing Sri Lanka
“Being among the top 10 fastest Victorian swimmers every year since 2019 can be considered a pivotal moment in my career. Back in 2019, it was my first open water championship win. At that point, I realised I could have a long and successful career as an open water swimmer,” Tharusha stated.
In 2022, Tharusha suffered a series of shoulder injuries that hampered his progress. Despite this setback, he wasn’t out of the pool as the determined teen maintained his fitness. After a year of mixed emotions, he was resolved to bounce back, and years of sacrifice and commitment paid off when he was selected to compete in Sri Lanka in 2023 at the National Age Group Under-17 Championship, where he won two bronze medals in the 800m and 1500m events.
“It was a very proud moment to win two medals in Sri Lanka. Initially, I didn’t expect a medal as the conditions were different from what I encounter in Australia, but it was a great experience,” he said.
Later, Tharusha participated in the Queensland Open Water Championships 2023, securing third place in his first 5-kilometer open water competition. Representing Sri Lanka at age 16 is a testament to Tharusha’s hunger for success. He represented Sri Lanka for the first time at the Australian Open Water Championships in 2024 and has since been a regular participant in open water events for his country.
Tharusha’s most memorable performance for Sri Lanka occurred during the South Australia State Open Water Championships, where he secured second place in the Boys 17-18 category. He also made his international debut at the World Aquatics Junior Open Water Championships in Italy.
Rating 2024 as the most memorable year in his career thus far, Tharusha has successfully maintained his momentum into 2025. Among his numerous achievements this year, his performance at the Australian Open Water Championship stands out. He placed 11th in the 10km event and 13th in the 5km event in Australia.
Open water swimming remains relatively unpopular in Sri Lanka, which serves as one of Tharusha’s key motivational factors for pursuing excellence in the sport. Under the guidance of his coaches Kelly Stubbins and Michael Geoff, he aims to develop into a renowned open water athlete.
Beyond his national-level progress, Tharusha is currently in his final year of high school. As sports captain for Glen Waverley Secondary College, he has earned numerous accolades. Tharusha, who idolizes German Olympic gold medalist Florian Wellbrock, aspires to follow in his idol’s footsteps and become a valuable asset for Sri Lanka in the years ahead.