Gihara a swimmer with medal hopes

Leslie Fernando

National swimmer Gihara Sachin Amerasinghe of Southland Balika Vidyalaya Galle is one of our future medal prospects.

Representing the outstation school she has performed creditably being the Pentathlon Champions for three consecutive years in her age group. She was the champion swimmer in the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 in the under 12, under 14 and under 16.

Since the year 2006 she has been representing Southland BV and has brought honour and glory to the school in a big away. She has already established five age group records. She had the distinction of erasing off a long standing record held by famous swimmer Deepika Chanmugam in the 100 metres breast stroke 'clocking' 01.22.65 secs at the Junior National Swimming Championships.

She also represented Sri Lanka at the inaugural South Asia Swimming and Waterpolo Championships held in Islamabad, Pakistan in 2007 winning silver and bronze medal in the back stroke and in the 4 x 100 metres free style relay.

Gihara was first coached by Athula Senaratne in 2002 and later from 2003 to 2005 trained under Damith Chandralal. After Damith's death Gihara was under the guidance of Damith's brother Mahi Chandralal.

She receives all necessary schedules from Mahi Chandralal from Colombo and trains at the Light House Swimming pool in Galle with the help of her mother.

The former ace swimmer Julian Bolling has obtained free membership to Gihara to train at the hotel pool. The staff members of the hotel is also providing all assistance to Gihara.

Her main aim is to Sri Lanka at international level namely in the South Asian Games and win medals for the country.

She is a talented swimmer and lot could be expected from her.