Maduraganan a promising swimmer
 

by Sarath Malalasekera

At the recent concluded Senior National Aquatic Championships and first selection trial for the 2006 South Asian Games organised by the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union, Shamugananthan Madhuraganan the long distance free style swimmer of Royal College grabbed the first place in the 1,500 metres free style and was placed third in the 400 metres free style, this paving the way for automatic selection into the 2006 SAG Pool.

This promising youngster began his swimming at the age of 8 years, under the wings of L.V. Fernando, present coach of the Ananda College swimming team.

As days went by Ganan was then absorbed into the Royal College swimming squad where he was trained by the late Rizvy Zain the then head coach and assisted by coach Mahinda Liyanage.

Ganan was 9 years when he swam his first public schools meet and was happy to be placed second in the individual medley, thereafter he was swimming his way for his Alma Mater participating in all college meets, inter-house and swimming galas. He emerged a champion in the under-15 category at the Royal College Inter-House Swimming Meet in 2003.

In 1997, Ganan swam at the Sri Lanka School Swimming Meet coming second in the individual medley. In the year 2004 he swam in the under-17 and was placed first in the 800 metres free style and third in the 400 metres free style. In 2005, the long distance swimmer swam his way through to be the winner in the 800 metres and 400 metres under-17 free style events.

At the 2003, Age Group Championships, he swam the 200 metres butterfly stroke winning his event in the under-16 age group. In 2004, Ganan swam the under-19 free style event and was placed second in the 400 metres.

This youngster headed his way through the waters to win the 1,500 metres and 400 metres free style at the 2005 Age Group Championships.

Maduraganan was a participant at the Asian Age Group Championship in Bangkok, Thailand held in August 2005. This was the his first maiden international meet.

The Nationals was a meet he used to look forward eagerly, in 2003 he was placed third and 2004 he was second in the free style events. In 2005 he was a happy champion winning his pet event in the 1,500 metres free style.

The 2005, Open All Island National Sports festival organised by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs was held at the Sugathadasa Stadium Swimming Pool, Maduraganan, the long distance free stylist swam his way through to secure the first place, in the 800 metres, establishing a new meet record, erasing off a three year mark previously held by Sampath Weerakkody. He also clocked in the first place in the 400 metres and came in second in the 1,500 metres.

At this meet Ganan was awarded the Best Sportsman award for 2005 at a function held at the Matale Aluvihare Stadium.

Apart from swimming in the pool, this upcoming swimmer has swum from the age of 14 at the Annual Open sea Swim conducted by the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union.

At the recent Sea Swim Meet for 2005 he swam in the open category and was placed 6th out of 400 participants.

Since 2002, Ganan is being coached by E.G.A. Wilson, the former national head coach and continues training under his watchful eyes and guidance Ganan goes onto say that he has made a tremendous improvement, which was seen at the recent Nationals an says he pays all due respects to his Guru.

He also participated in the swimming training camps conducted by Guy Edson the technical director of the American Coaches Association.

He goes onto say he is one of the those lucky swimmers to have had the privilege to train under the versatile and experienced top American coach Jim Puleo who was got down, to train the Sri Lanka National Squad of the upcoming SAF Games in the Sri Lanka.

Ganan is presently selected to the pool for the South Asian Games by the National Aquatic Sports Union.