All eyes on Heshan and Mineka at Swimming Nationals

By Leslie Fernando

SWIMMING: Sri Lanka swimming captain Heshan Unamboowe of Trinity College who won two gold medals and four silver medals and Mineka Karunaratne of Asian International School who accounted for two gold medals and two silver medals at the recently concluded South Asia Swimming and Waterpolo Championships held in Islamabad, Pakistan will be star attractions at the Senior and Junior National Swimming Championships to be held from November 2 to 4 at the Sugathadasa Stadium pool.

In addition to swimming championships, Diving, Waterpolo and Synchronised Swimming Championships too will be worked off at senior and junior levels. The championships are conducted by the Interim Committee of Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union. Along with Heshan and Mineka all other swimmers who won medals in Pakistan will swim and several records are expected to be established.

Heshan who has already set 68 records at various meets will swim in five events: 50 metres free style, 200 metres free style, 50 metres and 200 metres back stroke and 200 metres individual medley. Mineka will be swimming in the 50 metres, 100 metres and 200 metres breast stroke.

The best

The other swimmers who are expected to perform well are: Dilina Dissanayake, Issac Prins, Chanaka Malimbada, Tuan Nabeel Dole, Dasun Perera, Punhasa Senanayake, Pathum Edirisinghe, Shakith Wickremaratne, Praneeth Udamalgala, Yahan Samarajeewa, Samantha Priyadarshana, Gayan Samarakoon, Shasika Perera (open and juniors)

The ten women and girls are: - Chamari Kudabalage, Gihara Amarasinghe, Shehani Mediwaka, Miniruwani Samarakoon, Hansani Weerathunga, Methma Jayawardena, Madhavee Weerathunga, Udari Mendis, Dehara Katipearchchi, Sunethra Wijeratne, Charani Perera and Mihiri Kandanarachchi. The swimmers mentioned also put up good performances at the Sri Lanka Schools Aquatic Championships 2007 last month.

Last year in the Senior and Junior Swimming Championships, St. Joseph's College and Mahamaya College Kandy carried away major honours and this year, swimmers from Trinity, S. Thomas' College, Royal and Ananda are expected to do well in the men's and boys' championships while in the womens and girls events, Ladies College, Musaeus College, Hillwood College, Kandy, Asian International School, Rainbow AC swimmers should show their swimming skills.

Royal College and Bishop's College the reigning champions go out firm favourites to retain the men's and women's diving titles.

There will be one metre, three metre spring board diving and platform diving 5 1/2 metres, 7 1/2 metres and 10 metres. All diving events will commence at 9.30 a.m. each day from November 2 to 4.

Musaeus College and Visakha Vidyalaya along with St. Bridgets and Bishop's College Convent girls will battle-it-out at the synchronised swimming which competition which will consist of four events, solo, duets, teams and routine combinations. The draw and technical meeting will be held on October 29 at 6 p.m. at Otter Aquatic Club.

Waterpolo

The men's, women', boys' and girls' waterpolo championships will begin on November 1 at the Sugathadasa Stadium Pool.

This year's tournaments have attracted more teams. Royal will receive stiff competition from S. Thomas', MAS Sport Club, AIS, and RCUAC. Visakhians will not have it easy as Ladies College, Bishops College, AIS, St. Bridget's Convent and Anula Vidyalaya teams are also in good form in the women's tourney.