Bens Aquatic Championship 2025 concludes with grand success
View(s):The Bens Aquatic Championship 2025, the Inter-School Short Course Swimming Meet conducted by St. Benedict’s College, concluded with resounding success on February 14 at the St. Benedict’s Aquatic Sports Centre, marking the event’s remarkable return after a seven-year break.
Aptly marking the return of the event after a brief yet seven-year absence, hosts St. Benedict’s College clinched the overall championship with 503 points, displaying the outcome to their unwavering dedication, rigorous training, and the enduring spirit of Benedictine excellence.
Distinguished guests arriving at the event
De Mazenod College, Kandana, with 388 points, emerged runners-up while Wesley College finished at overall third, pushing Bens Aquatic Academy to fourth and St. Joseph’s College to fifth places.
St. Benedict’s swimmers went on to dominate the team events, as they went on to secure the Overall Relay title, followed by De Mazenod as runners-up. However, Wesley College swimmers proved their worth at the event, securing three individual age group awards. Yousuf Latheef emerged the Best Swimmer in the Under-19 age group, while Wesley completed a hat-trick after Yaatheesh Krishantha became the Best Swimmer among Under-15s and Menuk Nethmina winning the same title in the Under-13s.
Hosts St. Benedict’s produced a Best Swimmer in the Under-17s age group with Osanda Enosh Perera lifting the title, while De Mazenod produced two best swimmers in the Under-11s and Under-9s, with Diyon Ronal and Khail Shenal de Abrew winning the respective age group awards.
The prominent inter-school event brought together leading swimming talent from across the island, showcasing exceptional standards of athleticism, discipline, and sportsmanship. The championship once again proved to be a spectacular celebration of competitive swimming and Benedictine excellence.
The event was graced by several distinguished guests, adding prestige and inspiration to the occasion. The chief guest, Dr. Kaushal Manawadu, the Senior Lecturer at the Department of Sports Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, commended the young athletes for their dedication and commitment to excellence. The guest of honour, Dudley Waas, the Project Consultant of the St. Benedict’s College Aquatic Centre Project Committee in 2010, also addressed the gathering.
St. Benedict's swimmers won the overall championship as well as the relay championship
Among the special guests were Rev. Br. Granville Perera, former Director of St. Benedict’s College, Carmel Xavier, former Teacher-in-Charge of swimming, and Ananda Amarasinghe, former Master-in-Charge of swimming. Their presence, alongside distinguished Rev. Brothers, Principals, and Old Benedictines, greatly elevated the occasion and motivated the young sportsmen to aim higher in their athletic journeys.
The organisers extended sincere appreciation to the college administration, Beverly M. Fernando, the present Master-in-Charge, his assistants, Head Coach Kasun Warnaka, the coaching staff, organising committee, and pool staff for their invaluable commitment and dedicated service. Special gratitude was also expressed to the Old Benedictines for their generous support and cooperation, which greatly contributed to the success of Bens Aquatic Championship 2025.