Matthew Abeysinghe : The golden boy in the pool

While India continued to assert their dominance in the South Asian Games, a 19-year-old Sri Lankan lad became the centre of attention in the swimming pool by showcasing tremendous ability and potential. That lad was Matthew Abeysinghe and his scintillating performance caught everyone’s eye at the Dr. Zakir Hussain Aquatic Complex in Guwahati. Abeysinghe’s outstanding performance, claiming seven gold, two silver and one bronze medal to his name, gave the island nation a total of 39 medals – 12 gold, 16 silver and 11 bronze – in swimming at the 12th South Asian Games. He was also adjudged the fastest swimmer in the competition. Abeysinghe sets a new high for the country in the South Asian Games breaking a 25-year-old record set by Julian Bolling in the year 1991. Bolling won five medals at the 1991 SAF games. When asked about the secret behind his success, the somewhat shy boy said, “I have a lot to thank my father for. Not only for the skills he taught me but also for the confidence he built in me.  I worked very hard and this is, undoubtedly, my proudest moment in life.” It must be mentioned that Matthew’s father is a swimming coach and he travelled to Guwahati as one of the officials of the Sri Lankan swimming team. Matthew’s Brother Kyle Abeysinghe was also a member of the Sri Lankan swimming team and earned two silver medals in the relays. Sharing his feelings with the media, Matthew said that before leaving for the South Asian Games, he was expecting four to five gold medals. Competing with the Indian swimmers and to win medals was a big challenge for him and the performance shown here made him more confident. Abeysinghe, now labeled as the greatest hope for Sri Lankan swimming, was trained by his father since he moved back to Sri Lanka about five years ago. Prior to that, he swam in Ohio in the United States for the Dayton Raiders and the Springfield Family YMCA.

Another Sri Lankan swimmer, Kimiko Raheem also did her country proud by claiming five gold medals.  Kimiko set two new South Asian Games and Sri Lankan records. Her sister Machiko Raheem was also a member of the Sri Lankan swimming team and won five silver medals.