Joes and Bishop’s clinch Intermediate Diving titles
View(s):St. Joseph’s showed nerves of steel and strong team spirit to lift the boys’ crown with 94 points, keeping a cool head as they fended off tough challenges from Asian Grammar School (69 points) and Royal College (64 points). In the girls’ category, Bishop’s was a class apart, piling up 102 points to leave their rivals trailing. St. Bridget’s Convent settled for second with 83 points, while Ladies’ College grabbed the bronze with 27 points.
Bishop’s College diving team
(Squatting from left): Lathieisha Perera, Mayuki Weerasinghe, Suhera, Anya Galbadage, Aniya Wahid, Linusha Kohilanath (Standing first row from left): Thulasi Perera, Vandana Chandrasekara, Shakira, Aneeqha Aniff, Sineli Weerakoon, Aneera Gunasekara, Mimali Solangaarachchi. (Standing second row from left): Sachin Nilupul (Asst. Coach), Kasun de Silva (Head Coach), Manudi Karuanthilake, TIC
It was a textbook performance from the Joes, with Sudam Cooray giving the team an early boost by taking first place in the Under-13 1m Springboard event. The young diver proved he was made for the big stage. In the Under-17 category, Jaden Ranasinghe kept the scoreboard ticking for Joes with two second-place finishes in the 1m and 3m Springboard events. But he saved his best for last, pulling a rabbit out of the hat in the Platform event to snatch the gold.
Team captain John McKenzie was in a league of his own in the Under-20 division. The experienced diver was untouchable, delivering a clean sweep with victories in the 1m Springboard, 3m Springboard, and Platform events. His flawless performance proved why he’s considered one of the brightest diving talents in the country.
St Joseph’s College diving team
(Front row from right): Maheesha Eshan, Sudam Cooray, John McKenzie (Captain) (Back Row from right): Praneeth Premaratne (Coach), Kemith Daniel, Jaden Ranasinghe
“These boys have worked their socks off, and it’s heartening to see their hard work paying off,” said a proud coach Praneeth Premaratne after the event.
Meanwhile, Bishop’s College’s duo Manudi Karunathilake and Shakira Dean stole the show in the Girls’ Under-17 events, especially dazzling on the 3-metre Springboard. In the younger categories, Eleena Dewathanthriarachchi and Amberlie Abeysekera of St. Bridget’s Convent showed they are ones to watch, bagging multiple podium finishes in the Under-11 age group.
Asian Grammar School’s Matheesha Keshan made sure his name stayed in the headlines by ruling the Under-15 springboard and platform events, while Royal College’s little star Gimhan Bitar turned heads by striking gold in all three disciplines of the Under-9 division.