Spirited Akalanka Peiris in hunt for Los Angeles Olympic glory
It would be fair to say that national swimming champion Akalanka Peiris’ journey as a professional swimmer has been similar to a rollercoaster ride. Ever since making it to the national squad in 2013, the 24-year-old youngster has been able to bring glory to his motherland on numerous occasions.
Despite missing out on two opportunities to represent his country at the last two editions of the Olympic Games in Tokyo and Paris, he hardly took a step back. Akalanka has not given up on his great dream of representing the country at the 2028 summer Olympics that is to be held in Los Angeles.
Akalanka Peiris in Australia
Akalanka moved to Australia in 2023 with the primary ambition of pursuing his higher studies and simultaneously gain overseas exposure to train with better facilities. This will be extremely important as he prepares for several international events with the aim of obtaining crucial qualification points for the showpiece event in 2028.
“I moved to Australia with the main intention of pursuing my higher studies, and at the same time I wanted to train with better facilities to make sure that I’m in a good mental space to fulfil my ultimate goal of clinching international medals for my country. Keeping that in mind, I have committed myself to be in the best physical and the mental condition that I require whenever there is an opportunity for me to shine at the highest level,” Akalanka said, following his success at the Australian Short Course National Championship held in April, where he was among the top 10 Australians in the 50m backstroke event.
The season of 2024 can be regarded as one of the fruitful years in his career as Akalanka was ranked 22nd out of the Top 25 fastest swimmers in the world in the 50m backstroke category achieved in the World Championships in Doha. In August he became the number one backstroke swimmer in the state of Victoria. He was able to set a new national record with an impressive timing of 24.66secs. In addition Akalanka was also able to shine in the 100m backstroke event, where he also set a national record with a timing of 53.70secs.
By the time he participated in the Australian Short Course National Championship in September, he was high in confidence and was able to become the sixth fastest swimmer in Australia in the 50m backstroke event with a national record, after clocking 24.52secs. The youngster also became the 10th fastest swimmer in Australia in the 100m backstroke, with a record timing of 53.47secs and was able to achieve his personal best of 49.92secs in the 100m freestyle.
An alumni of St. Peter’s College, Akalanka is pleased about the achievements he has accomplished in Australia within a short period of time. He said the use of methodical training styles have been invaluable in the youngster’s success in recent times. The youngster also said that he wouldn’t be able to achieve these heroics without the efforts of the backroom staff led by his coach who is a former Australian swimming champion Kelly Stubbins, who has been instrumental in helping Akalanka to understand his strengths and weaknesses. Alongside his physical training they give equal importance to the psychological aspect as well.
“I think I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by people who encourages me to get the best possible outcome as an athlete. Especially the backroom staff led by my coach Kelly Stubbins and her team of prominent personalities, including renowned Indian sports dieticians Swetha Bhatia and Janvi Dhanak. Their unique training methods, the dietary procedure and the constant words of encouragement and the psychological assistance given by my mentors Dr. Hasintha Hewawasam and lecturer Akila Gunaratne, have motivated me to make sure that I stay committed and achieve the desired outcome,” he noted.
Along with his remarkable achievements as a professional swimmer, Akalanka gives equal importance to his higher education as well. Akalanka admitted that balancing education with his commitments in swimming was a challenge, amidst all that he continues to prosper in his academics as he is aware that education plays a vital role in moulding his personality as a sportsman. At present he is perusing his bachelors in business at the Central Queensland University.
As an athlete who has represented the country for over a decade, Akalanka feels that Sri Lanka should focus beyond winning medals at South Asian Games level. He believes that there should be a proper support system to help out the athletes to understand the sport better with methodical training styles added.
“The coaches should give emphasis in prioritising in improving the psychological and nutritional aspect of the athletes,” he went on to say.
Despite initial struggles he encountered since arriving in Australia, Akalanka is pleased about the accolades he has been able to achieve in a short space in a foreign land. Now his focus will be on preparing for several international events in the coming seasons.
This list include the World Aquatic Championships, to be held in Singapore in 2025, the South Asian Games 2025 in India, the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Asian Games, to be held in Japan in 2026. Points achieved from these outings will be crucial with Akalanka’s desire to gain for direct qualification for Los Angelis Olympics, where he intends to reach the pinnacle and make the country proud.