#Good News Sri Lanka

A Swimmer Beyond Compare

Nishu Gunawardana
August 2, 2024

The epitome of any sportsperson’s career would be representing his/her country on an international platform. For Matthew Abeysinghe, his childhood dream was no different. Growing up surrounded by a family of exceptional swimmers, and a father who was his Coach, Matthew grew up with a passion for the water, a drive to succeed, and a will to never give up. Years of training, blood, sweat and tears paid off when this phenomenal swimmer brought glory to his family, his club and his nation on multiple occasions.

Arguably the greatest swimmer Sri Lanka has ever seen, Matthew started swimming when he was three years old alongside his elder brother, Andrew. He is considered the greatest athlete in South Asian Games history being the most decorated; winning a total of 14 gold medals, two silvers, and one bronze. In the Freestyle discipline, he holds all of the national records except for the 200m Freestyle. He also holds the South Asian record in the 100m and 200m Freestyle events.

Matthew’s very first representation overseas was at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, where he broke the national record in the 400m Freestyle, and became the youngest male swimmer to be selected to the national team. In 2011, Matthew represented Sri Lanka three times; at the 2011 World Aquatics Championships, the 2011 Youth Commonwealth Games, making it to the finals of the 400m Freestyle, and Asian Age Group Swimming Championships, where he won the silver medal in the 100m Freestyle.

He competed at the 2013 Asian Youth Games, where he took home the bronze in the 100m Freestyle, becoming the first Sri Lankan to win a medal at an Asian Games event. Two years later at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics, he competed in the 100m Freestyle amongst the likes of future Olympians; Duncan Scott and Kyle Chalmers.

Competing at the Hong Kong Age Group Championships, Matthew achieved the “B” qualifying time for the 2016 Olympic Games, becoming the first and only Sri Lankan swimmer, and one of few athletes, to achieve this feat up to that point. He would go on to become a two time Olympian, competing in the 2020 games in Tokyo as well.

This decorated athlete announced his retirement a few weeks ago, and swam his final Nationals on Sri Lankan soil. He bowed out as National Champion leaving an indelible mark on Sri Lanka’s swimming history, and many young swimmers that he now coaches.

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