Akalanka Peiris Creates History at Australian Short Course Nationals
- admin928749
- Oct 4
- 2 min read
Sri Lanka’s Australian-based swimmer Akalanka Peiris has etched his name in the record books, breaking a national short course record while also achieving one of the highest-ever finishes by a Sri Lankan at the Australian National Short Course Swimming Championship in Melbourne this week.
On the opening day, the 25-year-old clocked 55.89 seconds in the 100m Individual Medley, erasing his own Sri Lanka national short course record of 56.49 set in 2022. His performance placed him among the top six swimmers in Australia, an extraordinary achievement given Australia’s status as the world’s No. 2 swimming nation.
Akalanka Peiris continued his fine form on the second day, storming to a 24.84-second finish in the 50m Backstroke final, earning a 4th place overall in Australia. Although he narrowly missed his own Sri Lanka short course record of 24.52 seconds, his effort earned 705 FINA points, cementing his position as Sri Lanka’s second-highest ranked swimmer in terms of FINA points.
The result carries extra significance, as the 50m Backstroke has been officially added to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic programme, with qualification beginning in 2027.
“I am pretty happy because last year I was sixth in Australia, and now I am fourth,” Peiris said after his race. “I am balancing my studies and job here in Australia with the support of my family. My target is to represent Sri Lanka at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games next year.”
The three-day Australian Nationals also serve as a selection trial for the Australian national squad, making Akalanka Peiris’s performance even more notable. He is scheduled to compete in his final event, the 100m Backstroke, later today (Friday).
Akalanka Peiris breakthrough marks the first time a Sri Lankan swimmer has reached such a high rank in Australia, further highlighting his potential on the road to the Olympics.
Source: Daily News, The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (Lake House), Colombo 10, Sri Lanka.
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