Heshan wins second Gold

Leslie Fernando reporting from Pakistan

SWIMMING: Islamabad, Pakistan, September 8 - Heshan Unamboowe put up a remarkable performance to win his second gold for the country in the 50 metres free style and proved to be the best performer amongst men's swimmers on day two evening sessions (Friday 7 Night) of the 1st South Asia Swimming and Waterpolo Championships conducted by the Pakistan Swimming Federation and held at the Jinnah Sports Complex swimming pool here.

The 15-year-old swimming star Heshan and the golden boy of Lankan swimming team, swam in superb style to win the 50 metres free style open event 'clocking' 24.73 secs which is a new Sri Lanka National record. Dulapandan held the earlier record 24.50.

Sri Lanka swimming captain Heshan who is in fine form also won a silver in the 50 metres back stroke timing 28.05 secs which was a Sri Lanka National Record previously held by himself with timing of 28.52.

Chanaka Malimbada, Samantha Priyadarshan and 4 x 100 m free style open team increased the medal tally winning a bronze each. Samantha finished third in the 50 metres free style open 25.06 secs, Chanaka third in the 100 metres breast stroke open - 1.12.3 secs and 4 x 100 m free style open - Chanuka Wickremesinghe, Punhasa Senanayake, Gayan Samarakoon and Heshan did well to win the bronze 3.50.02 secs.

Kasun Wickremaratne was placed 5th in the 100 m free style under-14 1.02.21 secs, Dilika Thibbotumunwe fourth in the 100m breast stroke 1.13.68 secs, Shashika Perera fourth (1.11.58 secs) and Himasha Perera fifth (1.14.52 secs) in the 100m back stroke under-14. Ishan Fernando fifth (39.90 secs) in the 50m back stroke open and Yahan Samarajeewa fourth (1.02.94 secs) in the 100m butterfly open.

In the morning session of Saturday, Heshan Unamboowe gave yet another impressive performance winning a silver in the 200m individual medley open 'clocking' 2.20.19 secs. Meanwhile Shashika Perera won a bronze in the 50m back stroke under-14 - 31.28 secs. Issac Prins placed fifth in the 50m back stroke - 32.61 secs. Kushan de Silva fourth in the 50m butterfly open - 28.62 secs, Kasun Wickremaratne (1.09.56 secs) and Kaushal Manawadu (1.12.12 secs) placed 4th and 6th respectively in the 100m butterfly under-14.

Heshan Unamboowe brought laurels to his country winning two gold, and three silver medals in the individual events while a silver and bronze in the two relays 4x200m free style and 4x100m free style. Indeed a superb feat by this youngster from Trinity College.

Sri Lanka's medal tally rose to 18 medals-2 gold, 7 silver, 9 bronze.

The swimmers owe their success due to great efforts of their three coaches Julian Bolling, Ruwan Manawadu and Nishantha Kumarapperuma.