Ananda College juniors reign supreme in the pool

The Ananda College Junior Swimming Team secured the Junior National Title at the Sri Lanka Swimming Short Course Swimming National Championship, which concluded on Saturday night at the Hillwood College Swimming Pool in Kandy.

Led by the outstanding performance of record-breaker Mihith Ekneligoda, the Anandians emerged victorious, outshining favorites and last year’s champions, St Joseph’s College Colombo. Ananda College accumulated an impressive 195 points, leaving St Joseph’s with 147 points, while Asian International School secured the third position with 107 points.

Under the guidance of Coach Nishantha Kumarapperuma, the 10-member junior swimming squad from Ananda College clinched 10 gold medals, four silver medals, and one bronze, reclaiming the championship title after his reappointment in 2021.

Expressing gratitude, Head Coach Nishantha Kumarapperuma said, “After so many years, with my assistant coaches Shehan Milinda, Hiruna de Silva, and T Nileesha, this victory is a result of coaches’ and swimmers’ commitment. I am thankful to Master-in-Charge Vishwajith for his support, and Ananda College Principal Lal Dissanayake for the great backing.”

Fourteen-year-old Ekenligoda stole the spotlight, securing seven gold medals and two silver medals, accompanied by setting eight new Junior National Records, earning him the title of Best Junior National Swimmer.

Ekneligoda’s gold medals included victories in the 50m backstroke, 100m backstroke, 200m backstroke, and 50m butterfly, all achieved with new meet records. He also won a silver medal in the 100m Individual Medley, surpassing the previous meet record.

The Under-15 relay quartet comprising Mihith Ekneligoda, Nethula Dabare, Kapugurubandara, and Thenuka Thirasaru made history by securing gold medals and setting new meet records in all four events: 4x50m medley relay, 4x50m freestyle relay, 4x100m freestyle relay, and 4x100m medley relay. This remarkable achievement marks the first time in the history of the Junior National Championship that boys have set records in all four relay events.

Nethula Dabare, another standout performer, claimed two gold medals in 50m breaststroke and 100m breaststroke, setting a record in the latter. Additionally, he secured a silver medal in the 100m freestyle event.

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