Visakha Vidyalaya create history with double crown at 40th Rowing Nationals
Visakha Vidyalaya made rowing history by becoming Overall Champions in both the Junior Girls’ and Women’s Intermediate categories. It was the first time a schoolgirls’ team achieved this double win at a national rowing event in Sri Lanka. The team, led by Anusara Akmeemana and vice captain Thisali Welage, won seven gold medals, one silver, and four bronze medals across the Under-15, Under-17, and Intermediate events, remarkably without owning a single boat or oar.
Visakha Vidyalaya’s champion rowing team, led by Anusara Akmeemana and vice captain Thisali Welage, made history at the 40th National Rowing Championship winning both Junior Girls’ and Women’s Intermediate titles
Visakha rowed their way to history without owning their own equipment is a story that resonates far beyond sport, borrowing boats and relying on the generosity of fellow rowing clubs. The girls trained early mornings, late evenings, and through every obstacle thrown their way. What they lacked in resources, they made up for in unity, sacrifice, and an unshakable will to win.
Visakha’s rowers showed strength and teamwork in key events such as the Single Scull, Double Scull, and Quadruple Scull. Star performers included Methinya Dheerasinghe, Vethmi Weeraratne, Imandi Mahawatte, and Jenuli Gunawardane. Their strong results came from months of discipline and hard work. The victorious crew also thanked their coaches led by Nirmal Gunaratne, school staff, and supporters from several institutions including the Sri Lanka Army, Navy, Air Force, KDU, and other rowing schools.
The Asian International School rowing crew
This history-making crew included Menoli Yatigammana, Imandi Mahawatte, Vethmi Weeraratne, Sahelee Kinara, Saheli Senanayake, Seneli Perera, Navini Perera, Nadithi Weeraratne, Mishanthi Padeniya, Jenuli Gunawardena, Anumi Yatigammana, Dulandee Bastian, Hirundi Gamage, Yesali Jayakody, Dinuli Dahanayake, Miheli Liyanage, Chiranya Abeysinghe, Rivini Karasinghe, Shanuki Kithmini, Sethuli Gamage, Sethini Ranawake, Methinga Dheerasinghe, Sashenka Weeraratne, Sanuli Wellala, Vinuthi Kulathilake and Mihindi Bimansa.
The crew was well supported by the principal of Visakha Vidyalaya, Manomi Seneviratne, Deputy Principal Jeewana Ariyarathne, Prefect of Games, and the Teachers-in-Charge of rowing, especially Subodha Wijesinghe, whose encouragement and guidance gave wind to their oars.
In the Junior Boys’ category, Asian International School (AIS) came out on top with an excellent performance. Under the leadership of Venuk Panduwawala and vice captains Avishka Wijegunaratne, Abishek Wijegunaratne, and Binuk Premaratne, the AIS team won multiple gold medals in the Under-15 and Under-19 events.
Sonal Tranchell and Joel Weerasingham led the way in the Under-15 category, winning gold in the Single and Double Scull. In the Under-19 races, Shaylon Gunaratna took gold in the Single Scull and teamed up with Shivanedra Goonewardena to win the Double Scull. AIS also won the Quadruple Scull event and finished second in the Pair race. Gunaratna was named School Boy Sculler for his outstanding performance.
