Team Visakha steal limelight at 49th Artistic Swimming Championship
View(s):Visakha Vidyalaya swam ahead of the pack and stole the show at the 49th National Age Group Artistic Swimming Championships 2025, diving into overall victory with 10 medals at the Air Force Swimming Pool in Ratmalana.
The determined swimmers from Visakha, led by Manekha Gomez and her deputy Dhananji Senanayake, ruled the waters. Their synchronised brilliance and graceful routines earning 10 glittering medals and a commanding 75 points to clinch the overall title. It was smooth sailing for Visakha, while Ladies’ College splashed in at second with 37 points and Musaeus College finished third with 15 points.
The victorious Visakha Vidyalaya artistic swimming team (From left): Senaya de Silva, Lisali Karunanayake, Dinuli Perera, Senithi Premarathne, Thinara Gunawardane, Enuki Gunatilaka, Dhananji Senanayake (Vice Captain), Manekha Gomez (Captain), Saheli Kulasekera, Sinali Buthgamuwa, Leanna Perera, Kiyara Gunawardane, Vethmi Perera, Nethuli Perera, Advika de Silva
In the 12 and Under Solo category, young Enuki Gunatilaka stole hearts with a performance full of poise and polish, surfacing at the top with 115.3303 points. Teammate Vethmi Perera wasn’t far behind, making a graceful landing in third with 105.1931 points. Captain Manekha Gomez stole the limelight in the Senior Solo event, earning second place with 230.8788 points, showing that she’s not just floating along, but driving the team with power and passion.
Visakha’s duet swimmers were completely in sync. In the Senior Duet, the sparkling pair of Dhananji Senanayake and Tinara Gunawardane took the plunge and surfaced as champions with 183.9342 points. Their teammates Saheli Kulasekera and Lisali Karunanayake followed closely, finishing second with 180.4467 points, proving Visakha’s strength runs deep.
In the 13-15 Youth Solo, Senithi Premarathne dove into second place with a well-balanced routine scoring 132.7871 points, showing skill in both technical figures and expressive free movements.
In the same age group’s Duet, Senithi teamed up with Sinali Buthgamuwa to swim laps around the competition, scoring 148.0462 points to finish first. Their schoolmates Leanna Perera and Kiyara Gunawardane were hot on their heels, securing second with 128.3769 points.
If there was any doubt about Visakha’s depth, it was washed away in the Team Routine segment. Two full teams from Visakha made a clean sweep. The top team of Gomez, Dinuli Perera, Leanna Perera, Karunanayake, Buthgamuwa, and Thinara Gunawardane impressed with synchronised power, scoring 49.0 points. The second team, led by Senanayake, followed with a close 47.10 points.
Captain Manekha Gomez on her team’s effort, said: “Artistic swimming is more than beauty and dance in water. It’s like running a marathon underwater. It takes muscle, breath, and heart.”
That spirit was evident throughout the competition—from the youngest rookies to the senior stars, Visakha swam with confidence, creativity, and calm under pressure. Their coach Prabhashi Navarathne, assistant coach Ihansa Ranasinghe, and teacher-in-charge Jayathri Sooriyarachchi kept the team on course, steering them toward this golden moment.