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Abeysinghe, Raheem best at swimming nationals
By Bernie Wijesekera
Andrew Abeysinghe, born in the USA but still a Sri Lankan national, is eligible to take part in next year’s SAF Games to be held here. He went on a record breaking spree at the National Aquatic Championships concluded at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, yesterday.

Abeysinghe, a bundle of energy, displayed abundant skills to smash three national records in the process. They were in the 200 m backstroke semis, the 200 m Individual Medley and in the Medley Relay. He swam his lap to a time 1:02.96.

He was adjudged the best swimmer (men). Andrew who swam for Rainbow AC was like a silver line in the darkness, on a day marred by rain. Among the women Mayumi Raheem (Otters AC) stole the limelight. She was adjudged the best among the women.

This national event served as the first trial for the SAF Games and six records were set up at the meet. Two of them were at the national level and the rest were Sri Lanka records. They are: Women’s 800 m Free Style Relay Rainbow AC. 10:15.62. R.M. Madawela (Sri Lanka Navy) 200 m Breaststroke 2:34.84 on Friday. Dryden Nikki from Canada (she represented her country at the Olympics) created a new mark 33.42 in the women’s 50 m Backstroke.

The unbeaten Royal College schoolboy team for the first time won the water polo nationals defeating Old Thomians 4-3 in a relentless do-or-die battle in the rain. Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Jeevan Kumaratunga was the chief guest and gave away the awards.

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