The Inter-International Swimming Championship 2017 commenced earlier today at the Sugathadasa Swimming Pool Complex with all the top international schools in the island competing for the title of champions for the year 2017.
Last year it was Lyceum that emerged as champions followed by Gateway College and the pressure is high on the defending champions to maintain their title amidst tough competition.
Taking a look at the 200 LC Meter IM event Shazna Mahir from Lyceum Wattala secured first place in the Girls 14-15 age group with a timing of 2:49.99. While Arukshan Pavalachandran from Wycherly secured first place in the boys 14-15 age category of this event clocking in at 2:.20.75 creating a new meet record. Azquiya Usuph from British School claimed first place in the 16 and over girl’s category of this event clocking in at 2:48.45 while Kavin Weerasinghe from CIS secured first place in the 16 and over boys category of the event with a timing of 2:20.91.
Familiar faces to the swimming arena dominated the 50 LC Meter Breaststroke event for the day as Shanali Perera from Lyceum NUgegoda secured first place in the girl’s 14-15 age category of the event with a timing of 38.57 while Arukshan Pavalchandran secured first place in the boys event of the same age category clocking in a little faster at 32.97. Monali Weeakody from Gateway Colombo secured first place in the girl’s 16 and over age group of this event with a timing of 37.53 while Diluk Jayathilake from Lyceum Wattala secured gold in the boy’s 16 and over age group of the breaststroke event clocking in at 31.74 establishing a new meet record.
Next up for the day was the 100 LC Meter Backstroke event in which Talia Shea from Overseas School secured gold in the girl’s 14-15 age group with a timing of 1:16.05. Alvin Arulmaran from Gateway Colombo secured first place in the boy’s 14-15 age group clocking in at 1:06.24. Azquiya Usuph secured her second gold medal for the day winning the girl’s 16 and over age category of the event with a timing of 1:14.75 while Haren Nugawela from Wycherly dominated the boy’s event in the same age group establishing a new meet record with his timing of 1:00.39.
The second session for the day started off with the 100 LC Meter Freestyle event and Bhakthi Karunasena from CIS created a new meet record in the girl’s 14-15 age group finishing the event in 1:05.42 and Amrith Perera from Gateway College also established a new meet record in the boy’s category of the same age group finishing the event in 57.96. The girl’s over 16 age group was dominated by Sarah Shea from Overseas School clocking in at 1:06.35 while the over 16 boys category was won by Haren Nugawela establishing yet another meet record for the day clocking in at 53.15.
Next up during the evening session was the 50 LC Meter Butterfly event. In the girl’s 14-15 age group Daeva Rasmi from Lyceum Wattala secured gold clocking in at 32.12 while Amrith Perera got his second gold medal of the day in the boys 14-15 age group finishing the event in 27.87. the girls 16 and over age group was won by Shehanthi Gunawardana from CIS clocking in at 32.05 while Rakitha De Silva from Lyceum Wattala secured gold in the boys 16 and over age category with a timing of 26.33.
The final event for the day was the 50 LC Meter Backstroke event in which Araaliya Gunasekara from Gateway Colombo secured first place in the girls 14-15 age group clocking in at 53.32 while Alvin Arulmaran secured his second gold medal for the day winning the 14-15 boys age group event with a timing of 29.82. Azquiya Usuph secured another gold medal in the girls 16 and over age category clocking in at 33.29 while Navodh Lakshan from Lyceum Wattala secured gold in the boys 16 and over, event with a timing of 30.06.
The mixed open 100 LC Meter Medley Relay was won by the Gateway team with a timing of 4:39.22 followed by Lyceum Wattala at 4:47.67 and finally by CIS clocking in at 4:56.17.
Live action of the final day of the inter-international school swimming championship can be watched tomorrow at the Sugathadasa swimming pool or stay tuned to ThePapare for more updates.
