Akalanka creates history with stunning display at Australian Nationals – By SAJEEWA JAYAKODY
Sri Lanka’s top backstroke swimmer, Akalanka Peiris, has made a significant mark in international swimming by qualifying for the 2025 Singapore World Aquatic Championships. The 24-year-old, who is based in Australia, achieved the feat at the Australian Swimming Nationals held in Adelaide, where he set two new Sri Lanka national records in the Men’s 50m and 100m backstroke events.
In the Men’s 100m Backstroke event, Peiris clocked an impressive 53.47 seconds, smashing his own previous record of 56.99 seconds, which he had set during early this year’s World Championship in Doha, Qatar. This performance not only qualified him for the World Aquatic Championships but also placed him among the best swimmers in the world.
In the Men’s 50m Backstroke, where he is ranked among the world’s elite swimmers, clocked a new national record of 24.63 seconds. This achievement was even more remarkable as it placed him among Australia’s top six backstroke swimmers, erasing his own previous national record of 24.66 seconds, which he set earlier this year at the 2024 World Championship in Doha.
The Sri Lankan swimmer’s rise has been nothing short of impressive, particularly considering his journey over the past year. Despite not being selected for 2024 Paris Olympics, Peiris has remained focused and dedicated to improving his performance. Recently, he began training in freestyle events, a decision that has paid off handsomely.
In just a short period of training, Peiris achieved the fastest Men’s 100m Freestyle time recorded by a Sri Lankan swimmer in the recent past. He swam an astounding 49.92 seconds, breaking the 50-second barrir. This performance came very close to the Sri Lanka national record of 49.11 seconds, set by double Olympian Matthew Abeysinghe at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.
Peiris’ freestyle performances have been equally impressive. In the Men’s 50m Freestyle, he clocked a personal best of 22.98 seconds, a significant improvement for Sri Lanka’s swimming. His time is a clear indication of the progress Sri Lankan swimmers have made in recent years, with the previous national record standing at 22.65 seconds, set by Matthew Abeysinghe during the same 2018 Commonwealth Games.
This series of breakthroughs highlights Peiris’ versatility and growing dominance in four swimming disciplines. His backstroke and freestyle performances are an evidence to his hard work and determination to be among the best in the world.
