Sri Lanka’s lifesaving team made a remarkable impact at the Lifesaving World Championship held in Gold Coast, Australia, last week.
Their impressive performance not only earned them the title of Asian Champions but also saw them set four new national records marking a significant milestone for Sri Lankan lifesaving sports.
The Sri Lankan team’s standout performances included exceptional results across several categories. Team captain Dilanka Shehan achieved a notable ranking of 17th in the Surf Race Boys category that places him among the top 17 in the world, reflecting both his personal skill and the high standard of Sri Lankan lifesaving.
Sachendra Ramesh ended as the Asian Champion in the 2km Beach Run Boys category and his performance also earned him a respectable ninth place in the world rankings, displaying his endurance and speed on the international stage.
The team’s success continued as they secured the Asian Championship title in the 12.5m Line Throw category.
The boys’ team comprising Nimuthu Perera and Senal Pathirana and the girls’ team comprising Sinali Rajapaksa and Thenushi Kalawitigoda took eighth place finishes in the world rankings. Their performance highlighted their precision and teamwork in this challenging event.
In the 100m Manikin Tow with Fins, Dilanka Shehan led the boys’ team to a new national record with a time of 1:09.65. The achievement surpassed the previous record of 1:11.63 set by KAA Priyadarshana from the Police at the 2023 Commonwealth Games Trials. Shehan’s performance highlighted the advancement in Sri Lankan lifesaving training and technique.
The girls’ team also made their mark in the 50m Manikin Carry as Thenushi Kalawitigoda clocked a time of 47.72, setting a new national record. The performance broke her own previous record of 47.96, which she set earlier this year at the Lifesaving World Cup Trials.
Sandali Sumathipala also set a new national record in the Girls’ 100m Manikin Tow with Fins. Her time of 1:23.45 surpassed the previous record of 1:25.89 held by Vinuki Perera. The achievement highlighted the continued excellence and competitive spirit of Sri Lankan lifesaving athletes.
In the Girls’ 12.5m Line Throw event, Sinali Rajapaksa and Thenushi Kalawitigoda set a new national record with a throw of 12.70 surpassing their own previous record of 13.88 set at the Lifesaving World Cup Trials in April 2024.
