Dulanjan and Yasodha open the Gold rush
Dulanjan Fernando competes in the Open Men's 3m Springboard event on the first day of the Sri Lanka National Aquatic Championship worked off at the Sugathadasa Aquatic Complex in Colombo yesterday
Dulanjan Fernando of Royal College and Angel Swimming and Diving Academy’s Yasodha de Silva won two gold medals in the three metre Springboard event for both Open Men and Women on the opening day of the Sri Lanka National Aquatic Championships worked off at the Sugathadasa Aquatic Complex in Colombo yesterday.
Fernando, who became eighth out of 12 in the recent Asian Aquatic Championship after defeating Iraq and Iran held in Japan last week, clinched the gold medal for his outstanding performance of 211.4 points in the morning session. Dulan Anuruddha of Angels Swimming and Diving Academy recorded 204.70 points to win the Silver medal while Royal College’s Sahan Peiris secured the Bronze for his 194.20 point-effort.
In the Open Women’s Category, the other Asian level diver of Sri Lanka, Yasodha de Silva of Angels Swimming and Diving Academy clinched the Gold medal after her aggregate of 144.60 points. Nethmi Liyanage of Starfish Aquatic Academy (94.60 points) and Leiankha Perera of St Bridget’s Convent (89.60 points) bagged the Silver and Bronze medals respectively.
Three Royal College boys dominated the Junior one-metre Springboard event winning all three medals. Abhisheka Meegalla (Gold – 214.90 points), Akindu Samaraweera (Silver – 139.55) and Yamith Jayakody (Bronze – 116.78) excelled.
Girls Junior one-metre Springboard event, Defence School’s Panchali Hewamanna won the gold medal (174.50 points) while Shenuki Wijesiri of Bishop’s College (162.80) and Senuri Wettasinghe of St Bridget’s Convent (137.72) bagged Silver and Bronze respectively.
All together 51 teams are taking part at this year’s four-day national championship.
The participating teams are: Ananda College (AC), Asian International School (AIS), Ave Maria Convent (AMC), Bishop’s College (BC), Colombo International School (CIS), DS Senanayake College (DSSC), Dharmashoka College Ambalangoda (DCA), Elizabeth Moir School (EMS), Gateway College Colombo (GCC), Girls High School Kandy (GHSK), Hillwood College Kandy (HCK), Holy Family Convent (HFC), Holy Family Kalutara (HFCK), Horizon College International Matale (HCIM), Kalutara Vidyalaya (KV), Killer Whale Aquatics (KWA), Ladies College Colombo (LC), Lion City Swimming Club (LCSC), Loyola College Negombo (LCN), Lyceum International Panadura (LISP), Lyceum International Nugegoda (LISN), Lyceum International Wattala (LISW), Mahamaya College Kandy (MCK), Methodist College (METH), Musaeus College (MUE), Nalanda College (NC), Panadura Aquatic Club (PAC), Panadura Aquatic Sports Academy (PASA), Princess of Wales College (POWC), Rainbow Aquatic Club (RAC), Regent International school (RIS), Royal College (RC), Sirimavo Bandaranike Balika Vidyalaya (SBBV), Sri Sumangala Balika Vidyalaya (SSBV), Sri Devananda College (SDC), Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), Sri Lanka Navy (SLN), Sri Lanka Police (SLP), St. Anne’s College Kurunegala (SACKU), St. Benedict’s College Colombo (SBCC), St. Bridget’s Convent (SBC), St. Joseph’s Colombo (SJC), St. Peter’s College (SPC), St. Sebastian’s College Moratuwa (SSCM), S. Thomas Mt. Lavinia (STCML), S Thomas’ Prep School (STPS), Starfish Aquatic Academy (SFAA), The British School Colombo (BSC), Trinity College Kandy (TCK), Viharamahadevi Balika Vidyalaya (VBVK), Visakha Vidyalaya (VV).
Yasodha de Silva takes her leap in the Open Women's 3m Springboard event - Pix by Amila Gamage