Royal and Bishop’s sweep National Diving Titles

Royal College and Bishop’s College stole the spotlight at the 48th National Diving Championship, organized by the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) at the Sugathadasa Stadium, as they swept both the Senior and Junior National Overall Championships in their respective boys’ and girls’ categories.

Royal College claimed both the Senior and Junior National Boys’ Overall Championships, while Bishop’s College secured both the Junior and Senior Overall Girls’ titles.

Venuka Kankanamge of Royal College emerged as the Senior National Champion, excelling by winning both the 1m and 3m springboard events. Meanwhile, Kithmi Marambe of Bishop’s College dominated the senior girls’ category, winning the 1m, 3m, and platform events, making her the Senior National Champion in her last school appearance.

In the junior category, Mikhail Jayaweera of Colombo International School was named the Junior National Boys’ Champion, while Bishop’s College’s Yashoda Pilapitiya was crowned Junior National Girls’ Champion.

Royal College’s senior diving team collected an impressive 56 points, leaving behind St. Joseph’s College with just five points, and S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, also tied at five points, taking third place. Bishop’s College earned 54 points to become the Senior National Champions

in the girls’ category, with St. Bridget’s Convent securing the runner-up position with 12 points.

In the Junior category, Royal College’s junior divers collected 30 points to claim the title, with Colombo International School earning second place with 27 points, thanks to Jayaweera’s individual brilliance. Bishop’s College juniors secured their championship with 37 points, ahead of Visakha Vidyalaya, who finished with 24 points as runners-up.

The championship was marked by impressive performances. Venuka Kankanamge dominated the men’s 1m and 3m springboard events, with scores of 162.1 and 190, respectively, and took second place in the platform event. His teammate, Ruel Wickramarathne, finished strong, placing second in both the 1m and 3m springboard events, and winning the platform competition.

In the women’s category, Kithmi Marambe’s triple victory in the 1m springboard, 3m springboard, and platform events highlighted her dominance, with Bishop’s College teammate Imaaya Perera consistently finishing in the top three.   The junior boys’ division saw Royal College’s Yusuf Shihar shine in the 1m springboard with an impressive 323.2 points, while Mikhail Jayaweera of Colombo International School took the 3m springboard and platform titles. In the junior girls’ events, Vinudi Kankanamge of Visakha Vidyalaya took the 1m springboard title, while Bishop’s College’s Yashoda Pilapitiya claimed the 3m springboard title.

 Source:Daily News