Swimming is the propulsion of the body through water by combined arm and leg motions and the natural flotation of the body. Swimming is popular as an all-around body developer and is particularly useful in therapy and is an exercise for physically handicapped persons. It is also taught for life-saving purposes. Swimming is an excellent activity because it keeps your heart rate up while taking off some of the impacts of stress off your body. The other remarkable benefits include the build-up of endurance, muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness which help to maintain a healthy weight, healthy heart and lungs, tones muscles and build strength while providing a balanced body workout, as nearly all of the muscles are used during swimming.It is a well-known fact that swimming competitions are held at the school level, university level, all-island level, and at international levels. The success that is achieved at the university level in terms of sport has definitely enhanced the skills, talents and has helped reach great heights in the career paths of sportspersons. The University of Sri Jayewardenepura has become a reputed place in context of swimming at the university level. Teams are represented by both men and women at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. They have been dedicated enough to obtain great achievements in the name of Mother J’Pura. The Inter-University Games 2015 season was an unforgettable season for the USJ swimming team since they were able to win the title ’Overall Championship’ after three years. It has to noted that during the past six years, the men’s team secured championship in their category and they have won the title this time as well. The women’s team being placed 8th in the Inter-University Games 2014 had indeed used up their weak points as pillars of success to perform in a very outstanding manner this season. The team was able to secure the fourth position from women’s teams while giving an immense contribution in score to become the overall champions unlike in previous years. Some swimming events to be highlighted definitely include the 200-meter freestyle women’s which was just one touch away for USJ swimmers to secure the second and third places in this event. 100*4 freestyle relay was the other event which held our breath till the last USJ swimmer in the team reached the end point to secure the third place. Apart from the Inter-University Games 2015, the teams were invited for “Flip Turn- 2015” which was organized by SAITM and the women’s team was able to win the third place.
The Sri Lanka University Games 2016 was also an unforgettable season for the USJ swimming teams since for the first time they were able to win all three championships which included the Swimming Overall Championship, Men’s Swimming Championship and the Women’s Swimming Championship. This is the first time that the women’s team secured championship whereas the men’s team continued their consecutive 8th year victory. The team was able to become champions while beating the defending women’s champions; the University of Peradeniya for the past several years. The women’s team consisted of experienced swimmers as well as some new blood. Also, for the first time in the history of university swimming, USJ girls were able to achieve first places in both the 4x100m Freestyle relay and 4x100m Medley Relay. Both relays were breath-taking events whereas it was just only 2 seconds away from the Sri Lanka University Games record in 4x100m freestyle relay. Getting the grip from the 2016 games, the women’s team continued to secure gold medals in both the 4*100 Medley Relay and the 4*100 Freestyle until 2019. The women’s team brought glory once again to the university even at the 1st Invitational Swimming Meet organized by NSBM in 2017 by claiming the championship. Runner-up was obtained for the overall championship in that meet.
The year 2017 was yet another remarkable year for J’Pura sports as they were able to become champions among 14 state universities at the Inter-University Games- 2017. Proud to state that the women’s swimming team of J’Pura were able to secure championship in swimming for the 1st time in the history of Inter-University Games with a huge margin. After becoming champions for the 1st time in SLUG 2016, this was their 2nd consecutive win. With the support of the men’s swimming team, the teams were able to become the overall champions by gaining 169 points. The women’s team managed to get 99 points whereas the men’s team were able to get 70 points. For the first time in the history of university swimming, the USJ women’s team were able to establish a new Inter-University Games Record in 4x100m Freestyle Relay by bettering from more than 5 seconds of the previous record.
In 2018, it was a remarkable year for each of us as the Inter-University swimming competition was held outside J’Pura premises. It was really challenging if not for the spirit and moral they possessed which resulted in both the men’s and women’s teams to become the champions of the annual Inter-University competition. Special thanks to the captain of 2018 for making that year an unforgettable year to mother J’Pura.Unfortunately, the men’s team lost the grip of glory in 2019 by a fingertip and had to console themselves with runners-up in SLUG in Ruhuna even though all members gave their fullest and commendable effort to that great achievement.It is with proud hearts we acclaim that all the team members are very dedicated and show their keen interest in swimming training which may include tough and challenging schedules to bring out the maximum potential in order to retain the championship next time as well.
It is a great pleasure to thank all past swimming members who were instrumental in bringing J’Pura in context of swimming to a glorious level and it’s noteworthy to mention that some of the USJ swimmers were even participants at World University Games. We, at Flames wish all the very best to members of both teams in all of your future endeavors so that you may continue to enjoy the taste of glory with flying colours and perform well in all of the events with consistency and make Mother J’Pura proud.
Article writing by :Vishwa Sandaruwani Danthanarayana
Graphic designed by : Jithmi Rajapaksha