Kandy's Heshan and Miniruwani holds out much promise for future

by Leslie Fernando

To 'break' 50 records by the time one reaches the 14th birth day is an awe inspiring feat. Yet that's the achievement of Sri Lankas youngest swimmer in the SA Games squad, Heshan Unamboowe of Trinity College. Besides his earlier bear, Heshan has several medals at both local and international events.

Unamboowe reached his 50-record mark when he established four meet records at the National Age Group Swimming Championships concluded last Saturday at the Sugathadasa Stadium pool. From 46 to 50 records came in 200 metres Free style, 100 metres Back stroke 200 metres Individual Medley and 50 metres Back Stroke Boys under-16.

Unamboowe who began his swimming career at the age of 8 years, has got his 50 records at school, national and international level.

A Back Stoke specialist, Unamboowe started his swimming first under E. G. A. Wilson and afterwards he was coached by U. H. Premlath. He has done his school proud with his superb performances at Public Schools meets, Inter-Club meets, SLASU conducted meets including nationals.

He has won National Age Group Swimming Championship and the Pentathlon Championships seven times in-a-row. It means he has become champion in the under-10 (twice), under-12 (twice), under-14 (twice) and under-16 (once). A creditable feat by the swimming prodigy.

Unamboowe holds the Sri Lanka Schools 50-metres back stroke record and the national record in the 100 metres back stroke. He is also the holder of 50 metres back stroke at the Asian Cup in Singapore and Indian Age Group record in Chennai.

Grade 9 student, Unamboowe became the first Sri Lankan swimmer to win medals at the Asian Age Group Championships held in Thailand in 2005. He won a gold, silver and bronze medal at this meet. He also represented the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka at the Swimming Talent Identification held in Thailand in 2005. Swimmer Unamboowe's aim is to win medals at the 10th South Asian Games to be held in August here in Sri Lanka.

Kandy has another champion in Miniruwani Samarakoon of Gateway International Schools who also is in the spotlight. The 14-year-old butterfly stroker Samarakoon reached her 25th record in swimming when she erased off a 14-year-old record in the 100 metres butterfly stroke at the National Age Group Swimming Championships at the Sugathadasa Stadium pool a week ago. Samarakoon, using a strong dolphin's kick and combining it with a powerful arm pull, won the under 16 girls' 100 metres butterfly stroke 'clocking' 1.11.49 secs. Upeksha Silva of AIS held the earlier mark of 1.12.96 secs in 1992.

Miniruwani at 12 years is the youngest among the girls in the South Asian Games squad. She is currently Gateway International School Kandy year 10 student who began her education and sports training at Hillwood College, Kandy.

Samarakoon has swum in the meets conducted by Sri Lanka Schools, SLASU, District and Provincial Level and at International meets. She has won all her events in the year 2005 and up to this year's meets.