Champion swimmer and SLIIT student Shehan Kaushalya understands importance of balance

Champion swimmer and SLIIT student Shehan Kaushalya understands the importance of maintaining a proper balance between pursuing swimming at the highest level and studying Information Technology.

Swimming, like any sport, consumes an enormous amount of time. When one reaches a certain level balancing swimming activities with academics and a social life can be even harder to manage. 

Participating in the sport since he was young, Shehan represented his alma mater Royal College, bringing home many accolades and medals. He was adjudged the champion swimmer at the Inter-House Aquatic Championships 2013 at Royal College and his school swimming life culminated in being elected as the school Swimming Captain in 2014.

Shehan has performed exceptionally well at many local and international meets including the 9th Asian Swimming Championships 2012, held in Dubai, the UAE, the 4th Asian Schools Swimming Championships 2013, Macau, China, he was the runner-up at the National Swimming Championships 2013, placing third in the 100 metre and 200 metre backstroke at the Tri-Nation Swimming Championships in Karnataka, India 2011 and broke records in the 100 metre and 200 metre backstroke events at the Sri Lanka Schools Aquatic Championships 2013.

He says winning and participating in local and international swimming events helps to “inculcate a disciplined routine that is manageable, helping me compete at the highest levels.”

However, for a young, aspiring swimmer/university student Shehan has also learnt that using strong time management skills helps him excel both in the classroom and in the pool.

As a SLIIT student, he says: “I’m in my third year at SLIIT but somehow balance my activities with studies. With the tight schedule it’s hard to find time to study. I have lectures on the weekends and all the other five days I work and train daily at 5.00 a.m. in the morning.”

Despite walking a tightrope of balancing athletics and undergraduate academics, Shehan continues to showcase his prowess in the pool.

He was placed third in the 100 metre backstroke event at South Asian Aquatic Championships 2016 (SAAC), and at the Long-course National Aquatic Championships 2016 he clinched third place in the 100 metre and 200 metre backstroke. His  team also finished first in the 4x100 metre Medley Relay, second in the 4x200 metre Freestyle Relay and second in the 4x50 metre Medley Relay .

Participating in the Short-Course National Aquatic Championships 2016, Shehan was placed second in the 50 metre Backstroke and third in the 100 metre and 200 metre Backstroke and his team emerged first in the 4x100 metre relay.  

Shehan has managed to create symmetry between the demands of athletic life with that of his academic requirements and social callings. “I’m trying my best to balance those activities with my studies, it’s tough but I give my best towards studies and I study as much as possible when I get free time.”

When it comes to balancing studies and sports, Shehan gives credit to his lecturers and coaches. “They understand what drives me and that I came to SLIIT to get an education,” he said. 

SLIIT recognised his achievements by naming him the Most Outstanding Sportsman for Year 2016 at the recent SLIIT Colours Awards Ceremony. However, he notes: “Juggling the classroom and the pool can have its benefits. One activity can relieve the stress from the other.”