Lankan synchro swimmers excel at 12th Singapore Nationals

The Sri Lankan synchronised swimming contingent returned with medal winning performances at the 12th Singapore National Synchronized Swimming Championships held recently. 

The swimmers won a total of three silver medals and four bronze medals in the 16-18 years and Open age groups in the international category of the three-day competition held from 24-26 November at the OCBC Aquatic Centre in Singapore.

Medals were won by Bulani Perera (silver) and Himashi Ranasinghe (bronze) in the 16-18 years solo event; Tharudini Ekneligoda and Himashi Ranasinghe (silver), and Jerusha Perera and Shenaya Mendis (bronze) in the 16-18 years Duet event; Shiyanka de Silva (bronze) in the Open Solo event; Jerusha Perera and Shenaya Mendis (silver) and Tharudini Ekneligoda and Himashi Ranasinghe (bronze) in the Open Duet event. 

A total of 16 swimmers represented the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) at this popular regional competition comprising 12 other clubs and developmental teams from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and New Zealand.

Synchronised swimming is a relatively young sport among the aquatic disciplines in Sri Lanka practiced amongst a limited number of schools. Officials of SLASU hailed the participation and performance as a success considering that the focus of participation was developmental and to expose local swimmers and coaches to other experienced teams in the region in order to enhance their outlook and skills. Almost all of the swimmers were competitively ranked in the middle order and above amongst the competition in their respective events.

The team comprised Bulani Perera, Anarkali De Silva, Sathinji Senanayake and Ihansa Ranasinghe from Visakha Vidyalaya; Jerusha Perera, Shiyanka De Silva, Shenaya Mendis, Renata Melvani, Anika Ratnayake, Rivinka De Silva and Tharini Perera from Ladies’ College; Tharudini Ekneligoda, Himashi Ranasinghe, Yalindee Premaratne and Diyana Perera from Musaeus College and Sansala Perera from St. Bridget’s Convent.

Three coaches Sanjule Wickramage, Dehara Katipearachchi and Rovini Illukumbura along with Manager Nayana Katipearachchi and Lady Chaperone Apsara Bandara accompanied the competitors as team officials. Synchronised swimming has seen a surge in participation in recent years amongst local schools with an average of 75 swimmers taking part annually in the levels grading competition held twice a year.

The sport is soon to take on the name of ‘Artistic Swimming’ as has been officially adopted by the international body and the International Olympic Committee to reflect the modern form and advanced standards the sport has achieved globally.