Ishani breaks another national swimming record

by S.M. Jiffrey Abdeen

Sri Lanka’s top and blossoming swimmer Ishani Senanayake from the Army and Killer Whale Aquatic Club added another feather to her swimming cap when she broke the national freestyle record in the 800 metres at the SAF Games swimming trials worked off by the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) at the Sugathadasa Stadium Swimming Complex. Senanayake timed 9.55.46 to eclipse the record of 9.56.10 held by Machiko Rahim.

Twenty year old Senanayake is the fastest woman in the 800 metres freestyle event and is the proud owner of both the long course and short course national records. She achieved both these during a short period of time which is a true reflection of her improvement in both speed and skills. She has been selected for the SAF Games swimming squad for the SAF Games to be held in New Delhi this month.

She will be competing in three events and is presently under the watchful eyes of coach Manoj Abeysinghe. The SAF swimming contingent underwent training at the Peradeniya University swimming pool this week to get themselves familiar with various conditions as New Delhi is expected to be colder than Colombo these days.

Senanayake has many swimming records to her credit at various meets and was adjudged the champion swimmer at the recently concluded National Sports Festival where she established two meet records.