Swimming for the Asian Games, during A/Ls!

He came into the limelight for being one of the youngest representatives at the Asian Games contingent in 2018, which also posed a unique challenge. Today's story is about Akalanka Peiris, who celebrates his 25th birthday today!

Born on a day like this in 2000, young Akalanka started swimming at a young age with the encouragement of his father, a school teacher who was very fond of the sport. This encouragement led him to participate, not to win, at the All Island School Championships in Ambalangoda and won first place in one of the events at 7 years which led him to a new journey as a competitive swimmer.

Having schooled initially at Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa, he gained entrance to St.Peter's College, Bambalapitiya after the Grade 5 scholarship and gained significant yards in the swimming pool during the All Island Championships.

Asian Games or A/Ls?

After establishing his name in the schools' swimming arena, breaking record after record and winning medal after medal, it finally dawned upon young Akalanka a very tough choice in 2018 - swim for Sri Lanka at the Asian Games or sit for the G.C.E A/Ls?

With the intervention of the Sports Ministry and the Sri Lankan Embassy in Jakarta, Akalanka was able to sit for his all important examination at the Embassy under supervision - the first time any student sat for their A/Ls outside Sri Lanka!

Of course, Akalanka had to miss the Opening Ceremony due to his academic commitments but still participated in both the 4x100m Freestyle Relay and 50m Backstroke (16th place in Asia).

Key Achievements by Akalanka

It would be incomplete to not list down his most prominent achievements in swimming apart from his success in academics.

1.) 8 National Records in 50m and 100m Backstroke (Short and Long Course for both events), 50m Butterfly (Long Course), 200m Backstroke (Short Course), and 4x100m Freestyle Relay (Short and Long Course)

2.) First Sri Lankan to break the 26 second barrier in 50m Backstroke (Long Course) and 25 second barrier in the same event for Short Course

3.) Represented Sri Lanka in Junior World Championship (2015), Asian School Games (2016), Youth Commonwealth Games (2017), Asian Games (2018 and 2023), South Asian Games (2019), Commonwealth Games (2018 and 2022), World Aquatics Championship (2024) and much more

4.) Won 7 medals at the 2019 South Asian Games in Kathmandu (Relay Gold, 4 Silver and 2 Bronze medals inclusive of National records)

It would be very unjust on his behalf to not go into detail for every championship he participated him and his achievements, so this is a summary of his most prominent ones with a reference to his World Aquatics profile.

Another notable fact about him is that most of his representations at the National Championships came under the Sri Lanka Army where he contributed towards their first Championship win after 16 years in 2022.

Focus 2025 and beyond

Fast forward a few years later, he has been continuously shining with new national records in almost every event he participates in, and is currently ranked among the Top 6 swimmers in Victoria State while pursuing his Degree in Business Analytics, and swimming at the Cheltenham Swimming Club under coach Kelly Stubbins.

His key goals for this year is to participate in the upcoming South Asian Games and World Aquatics Championship this year, with the Asian Games (2026) and the Olympics in Los Angeles (2028). He faced a fair share of challenges as well to make the Olympic cut in 2021 and 2024 despite being in his best form but the determined swimmer always took a step back and got ready for his next challenge.

We wish Akalanka on a fantastic 25th birthday and best wishes for a bright future ahead, inspiring youth like himself to balance sport and academics!

Check out this interview article from 2022 - "Slowly is the fastest way forward" which was contributed by our good friend Buddmin Amaradiwakara (currently one of the creative minds behind NewsFirst video content).