Apsara - a promising swimmer

SWIMMING: Diminutive teenager - Apsara Rajakarunarathne of Good Shephered Convent, Panadura has made tremendous progress in swimming. The 13 year-old Apsara has won many laurels for her school not so well known in swimming circles and Panadura Aquatic Club, a well-known club which has produced several reputed swimmers.

Success has not spoil her and this eighth year student of Good Shephered Convent has maintained a rigid routine of daily running, exercises and then a splash in the pool to keep herself on par with other swimmers at the club.

Apsara has been named as the Most Outstanding Swimmer of the School as well as the Best up and coming swimmer of the club for the year 2006.

She is a good swimmer in the pool as well in the sea. She has impressed in the back stroke and 'crow' Her feats. Winning the Half-Mile swimming contest held at the Bolgoda Lake, The event was conducted by Ranmal Holiday Resort. Won the 50 metres back stroke, 25 metres free-style event at the 4th All Island men's and women's short pool age group swimming championship of Sea Eagles Sports Club of Ambalangoda. Sri Lanka Police Aquatic Club Conducted Age Group Novices Swimming and Life Saving Championships - 4 X 25 metres free-style relay.

She was a member of the relay 'quartet' and the 'anchor woman'. Won the 50 metres breast stroke and 50 metres free-style events at Ranmal Aquatic Club, Keselwatta in the Open Swimming Championships. At the 2nd Inter-School Swimming and Life Saving Competition, she helped the school to win the under-15 girls invitation free-style relay championships. She once again guided the club to win the 4 X 25 metres free-style relay for girls under-15 at the Fingara Open Swimming Championships.

At the Saliyapura Gajabha Regiment Swimming pool she was adjudged the Best Girl Swimmer.

Apsara has successfully completed a course in Life-Saving at Panadura Aquatic Club and also at the Sri Lanka Police Aquatic Club.

Her ambition is to win more laurels at swimming meets conducted by Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union and Sri Lanka Schools Aquatic Sports Association for her school and club and also to represent the country in the future.

L.F.