Top swimmers reach National Squad provisional selection standards
Sri Lanka’s top swimmers have earned provisional selections for several upcoming international swimming competitions, following outstanding performances at the SLASU Selection Trial concluded last Sunday at the Sugathadasa Swimming Pool in Colombo and other qualifying meets. The list of selected swimmers was released by the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) and is now subject to final approval by the SLASU Selection Committee, the National Sports Council, and the Ministry of Sports.
World Aquatic Championships Singapore (July 11 to August 3)
Among the men, Kyle Abeysinghe clocked 52.41 seconds in the 100m Freestyle at the SLASU Selection Trial, scoring 693 FINA points. Binura Thalagala posted 4:10.03 in the 400m Freestyle with 681 points, while Sebastian Fernando finished a breath behind at 4:10.04, also earning 681 points. Veteran Akalanka Peiris timed 26.76 seconds in the 50m Backstroke, matching 681 points.
In the women’s events, Hiruki de Silva clocked 59.42 seconds in the 100m Freestyle (659 points), and Minagi Rupasinghe impressed with 2:06.49 in the 200m Backstroke at the South East Long Course Championships held from May 2-5, scoring 645 points.
Junior World Championships Provisional Selections (Male)
Top-ranked Binura Thalagala and Sebastian Fernando both achieved 4:10.03 and 4:10.04 respectively in the 400m Freestyle, scoring 681 points. M.F. Muhammad of Zahira College clocked 29.89 seconds in the 50m Breaststroke (654 points). Lithum de Silva of Gateway College timed 54.1 in the 100m Freestyle (630 points), while Jayden de Silva of Stafford International swam 58.11 in the 100m Butterfly (616 points).
Imran Aasif from Killer Whale Aquatics recorded 2:28.09 in the 200m Breaststroke (608 points). Heshan Karunaratne, a foreign-trained swimmer, clocked 1:00.90 in the 100m Backstroke (608 points), alongside Yashith Wijesundara (58.51 in 100m Butterfly, 603 points) and Adeetha Siriwardena (1:01.07 in 100m Backstroke, 603 points).
Junior World Championships Provisional Selections (Female)
Seyesna Anthony of Rainbow Aquatics led with a 27.91 in the 50m Freestyle (605 points). M.G.T. Lehara Melegoda of Anula Vidyalaya and Jessie Senevirathne of Holy Family Convent both scored 590 points — Melegoda with 1:01.63 in the 100m Freestyle, and Senevirathne with 1:05.77 in the 100m Butterfly.
Julie Hope of Ghehari Dulapandan Swim School swam 32.13 in the 50m Backstroke (584 points). Christina Perumal of Asian International School timed 1:17.10 in the 100m Breaststroke (575 points).
Asian Youth Games Provisional Selections (Male)
M.F. Muhammad (29.89 in 50m Breaststroke, 654 points), Lithum de Silva (54.1 in 100m Freestyle, 630 points), and Jayden de Silva (58.11 in 100m Butterfly, 616 points) secured top spots.
Asian Youth Games Provisional Selections (Female)
Seyesna Anthony topped with 27.91 in the 50m Freestyle (605 points), followed by M.G.T. Lehara Melegoda (1:01.63 in 100m Freestyle, 590 points) and Julie Hope (32.13 in 50m Backstroke, 584 points). Final selections are subject to official ratification by the SLASU Selection Committee, the National Sports Council, and the Ministry of Sports.
| Asian Aquatic Championships Provisional Selections Female: Hiruki de Silva (100m Freestyle, 659 points) Minagi Rupasinghe (100m Backstroke, 645 points) Ramudi Samarakoon (100m Breaststroke, 642 points) Ganga Senevirathne and Kaitlyn de Zilwa (both with 625 points in 100m and 50m Backstroke respectively) earned top selections Seyesna Anthony (50m Freestyle, 605 points) Jessie Senevirathne and M.G.T. Lehara Melegoda (both 590 points) Christina Perumal (575 points) Julie Hope (200m Freestyle, 523 points) Rushalee Dissanayake (800m Freestyle, 512 points) A.D. Sithuki Yonara (200m Backstroke, 491 points) Dinali Karunadasa (400 IM, 446 points) K.K. Dilushi Dilshara (400 IM, 443 points) Pamudi M. Jayarathne (800m Freestyle, 437 points) U.G. Dinagi Gamage (200m Butterfly, 374 points) Casandra Karunakalage (200m Butterfly, 364 points) Male: Kyle Abeysinghe (100m Freestyle, 693 points) Binura Thalagala, Sebastian Fernando and Akalanka Peiris (100m Freestyle, all scored 681 points) Disandu Niriella (100m Freestyle, 665 points) M.F. Muhammad (29.89s, in 50m Breaststroke – 654 points) S.M.S.S. Senarathna and other top performers are also among the provisional selections | |