The Sri Lankan synchronized 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 24th to 26th 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 & Himashi Ranasinghe (Silver), and Jerusha Perera & Shenaya Mendis (Bronze) in the 16-18years Duet event; Shiyanka de Silva (Bronze) in the Open Solo event; Jerusha Perera & Shenaya Mendis (Silver) and Tharudini Ekneligoda & Himashi Ranasinghe (Bronze) in the Open Duet event.
A total of 16 swimmers represented 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.
Synchronized Swimming is a relatively new sport among the aquatic disciplines in Sri Lanka practiced amongst a limited number of schools. Officials of the SLASU hailed the participation and performance as a success considering that the focus of participation is developmental and to expose local swimmers and coaches to other experienced teams in the region to enhance their outlook and skills. Almost all the swimmers were competitively ranked in the middle order and above amongst the competitors 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 Nayana Katipearachchi (Manager) and Apsara Bandara (Lady Chaperone) accompanied the competitiors as team officials.
Synchronized Swimming has seen a surge in participation in the recent years amongst the 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.
