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| Sunday, 25 May 2003 |
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Conrad Francis - unique feat of 100 records in swimming by LESLIE FERNANDO Here's an unique achievement - 100 records and the sport involved - swimming. The great achiever of this feat is 22-year-old Conrad Francis, who leads the Sri Lanka swimming team at the FINA conducted World Swimming Championships in Barcelona, Spain in July this year. Besides Francis, the other two Sri Lankans going for the World Championships are: Asela Pradeep from the Sri Lanka Navy and Menaka de Silva of St. Bridget's Convent. Francis who is on vacation in Sri Lanka from his school in Australia, first came here to represent Sri Lanka in swimming at the SAF Games in Pakistan, but that meet had to be called off due to the war, has decided to stay on here till the World Championships and then go back to Australia on another sports scholarship from NOC/NAASU for further training. Conrad, a product of St. Joseph's College, Colombo reached his 100-record mark when he established five Sri Lanka and National records at the recently concluded Short Course National Swimming Championships held at the Hillwood College, Kandy swimming pool. From 95 to 100 records came in 50 and 100 metres Breast Stroke, 50 and 100 metres Butterfly Stroke and 100 metres Individual Medley for men. Conrad who began his swimming career at the age of 10 years, has got his 100 records at school, club, national and international level. A breast stroke and a butterfly specialist, Conrad started his swimming first under Shirley Abeysena and afterwards he was coached by Ranil Gunasena and presently after coming from Australia train under Ruwan Manawadu. The writer has followed Francis' progress since he participated at the 6th Asia Pacific Age Group Swimming Championships held in Bejing, China in 1992. However, Conrads' first swimming meet was the Novices Meet at the Royal College pool in 1992 where he won a triple, winning the 33 1/3 metres breast stroke, butterfly stroke and the individual medley. Since then, he has swum for the school and for Sri Lanka. He has done his school proud with his superb performances at Public School Meets, inter-club meets NAASU conducted meets including nationals. Conrads' international tours in swimming have been 1992 - 6th Asia Pacific Age Group Swimming Championships in China. 1994 Asia Pacific Championships in New Delhi, India. 1995 - 9th Asia Pacific Championships in Sri Lanka. 1995 - VII SAF Games, Madras, India. 1996 - Kaohsiung International Age Group Invitation Swimming Meet in Chinese Taipei. 1996 - 10th Asia Pacific Championships, Busan, South Korea. 1998 - 13th Asian Games in Bangkok. 1999 - VIII SAF Games in Kathmandu, Nepal. In the year 1994, Conrad was awarded colours from the Sri Lanka Schools Sports Council. 1996: Before leaving for Australia, he was honoured with Josephian Colours and Josephian Blue in recognition of his outstanding sportsmanship, courage and loyalty to the Alma Mater. In 1997, Conrad was selected for his outstanding swimming performances with a Sports Scholarship from the NOC of Sri Lanka to train in Australia as part of the Asian Sports Linkage Programme. In Australia, Conrad has swum at district zonal and state levels for his college Roloville Secondary, setting records and winning several medals and trophies. He trained with the Australian National Squad and represented Nunawading Club at all state and major Australian Championships meets. Conrads coaches in Australia were Olympic swimmers Leigh Nugent and Mark Thompson. He is grateful to both of them for making him a competent breast-stroker and a butterfly specialist. In June 2002, Conrad swam at the Sydney Aquatic Centre, swimming with the Australian team for the Sydney 2000 Olympic trials in the 100 metres butterfly. He participated in the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, and it was after 40 years since the first Josephian swimmer Tony Williams participated at the Rome Olympics that the next Josephian - comrade Francis swam at an Olympics. Conrad was the sole swimmer to represent the country at the 6th FINA World Swimming Short Course Championships in Moscow in April 2002. In July 2002, he was the only swimmer to be selected to represent Sri Lanka at the XVII Commonwealth Games in Manchester. This year, he swam at the SAF Games selection trials and selection trial for the 10th FINA World Championships in Colombo. He put up a impressive performances to be selected for both meets. Since arriving in December 2002, Conrad had been preparing and training for the SAF Games under coach Ruwan Manawadu at the Josephian Swimming pool and will continue his training, leading up to the Barcelona Games in July. Before Conrad left Melbourne for his vacation in December, he was awarded the prestigious Hall of Fame Award by his school Roloville Secondary College for his outstanding and lasting contribution in the swimming. Conrad, being an undergraduate student in the field of Computer Systems and Electronic Engineering, has plans to further his swimming career in the future and he is prepared to participate at all major international meets leading upto the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. Swimmer Conrad's aim is to win a medal at a FINA major international meet. |
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