Matthew Abeysinghe
Matthew Abeysinghe (born March 19, 1996) is a Sri Lankan medal winning swimmer who is the most decorated athlete in the history of South Asian Games. In two editions of SAG (12th SAG in 2016 & 13th SAG 2019) he has won 18 medals, including 14 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze. In addition, he has won the highest number of gold medals at a single edition of SAG twice in a row in 2016 and 2019. He is also the only Sri Lankan swimmer to have achieved an Olympic standard (Olympic B standard in the 100 Freestyle for the 2016 Rio Games) and the first to achieve a FINA World Championships qualifying standard in the same event for the Kazan edition in 2015. He has represented his country at numerous international competitions. He is the current Sri Lankan national record holder in the 50m freestyle (22.28), 100m freestyle (49.11), 200m freestyle (1:50.97 ), 400m freestyle (4:03.90), 1500 freestyle (16:23.61), 200 individual medley (2:07.33), 400 individual medley (4:40.47) and 100m butterfly (54.71). He also hold all the freestyle sc national records and many other as well. He was the leading gold medalist at the 12th South Asian Games for Sri Lanka in India.[1] He represented Sri Lanka in the Youth Olympics in 2014 and was ranked 13th overall in Boys' 100-metre freestyle and 15th in the Boys' 200-metre freestyle. [2]
Career
2016 South Asian Games
With 7 gold medals 2 silver and 1 bronze (10 medals at 11 events) in 2016 South Asian Games, Abeysinghe broke the record for most gold medals in South Asian Games by a Sri Lankan, previously set by Julian Bolling back in 1991 South Asian Games.[3][4][5]
2016 Summer Olympics
Abeysinghe is the 1st swimmer ever qualify under the Olympic Standard(B) to represent Sri Lanka in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games from August 5 to 22.[6]
2018 Commonwealth Games
In February 2018, Abeysinghe was named to Sri Lanka's 2018 Commonwealth Games team. In the 50 and 100 meter Freestyle events he reached the semi-final recording a top 20 time in the world for the 100m freestyle. He was placed 10th and 14th respectively. Along with his teammates he reached the finals in the 4 × 100 m freestyle relay, placing 8th in prelims and recording a time of 3:22.84, shattering the National and SAF record.[7][8]
2019 South Asian Games
Matthew continued his glory at the South Asian platform winning 7 gold and silver in the 2019 South Asian Games held in Kathmandu Nepal. [9]
Personal life
Matthew Abeysinghe was a student of Asian International School Colombo, and is coached by his father Manoj Abeysinghe.[10] His brothers Andrew, Dillon and Kyle Abeysinghe all represented Sri Lanka and together they hold the Sri Lankan national record for the Men's 4x50 Medley Relay.
National and International Awards
- Winner Ada Derana Sri Lankan of the Year for sports in 2016.[11]
- Winner Most Outstanding Sportsman of the Year 2016 -Presidential Sports Award [12]
Achievements
SAF Records
Event | Time | Name | Club | Date | Meet | Location | Ref | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
50m Freestyle | 23.33 | SAG | Matthew Abeysinghe | Sri Lanka | 7 February 2016 | 2016 South Asian Games | Guwahati, India | [13] |
100m Freestyle | 51.23 | SAG | Matthew Abeysinghe | Sri Lanka | 8 February 2016 | 2016 South Asian Games | Guwahati, India | [14] |
200m Freestyle | 1:52.28 | SAG | Matthew Abeysinghe | Sri Lanka | 6 February 2016 | 2016 South Asian Games | Guwahati, India | [15] |
100m Butterfly | 55.42 | SAG | Matthew Abeysinghe | Sri Lanka | 6 February 2016 | 2016 South Asian Games | Guwahati, India | [13] |
200m Individual Medley | 2:09.63 | SAG | Matthew Abeysinghe | Sri Lanka | 9 February 2016 | 2016 South Asian Games | Guwahati, India | [13] |
Sri Lanka Long Course National Records
Event | Time | Name | Club | Date | Meet | Location | Ref | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
50m Freestyle | 22.65 | NAT | Matthew Abeysinghe | Sri Lanka | 7 April 2018 | 2018 Commonwealth Games | Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia | [13] |
100m Freestyle | 49.11 | NAT, OLY A | Matthew Abeysinghe | Sri Lanka | 7 April 2018 | Commonwealth Games 2018 | Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia | [14] |
200m Freestyle | 1:52.14 | NAT | Matthew Abeysinghe | Sri Lanka | 3 July 2016 | Hong Kong National Age Group Swimming Championships | Hong Kong, China | [14] |
400m Freestyle | 4:03.90 | NAT | Matthew Abeysinghe | Killer Whale Aquatics | 25 September 2014 | National Aquatic Championships | Colombo, Sri Lanka | [14] |
1500m Freestyle | 16:23.61 | NAT | Matthew Abeysinghe | Killer Whale Aquatics | 14 July 2012 | National Age Group Swimming Championships | Colombo, Sri Lanka | [13] |
100m Butterfly | 54.33 | NAT | Matthew Abeysinghe | Sri Lanka | 3 July 2016 | Hong Kong National Age Group Swimming Championships | Hong Kong, China | [13] |
200m Individual Medley | 2:07.33 | NAT | Matthew Abeysinghe | Sri Lanka | ||||
400m Individual Medley | 4:40.47 | NAT | Matthew Abeysinghe | Sri Lanka | 3 July 2016 | 2016 South Asian Games | Guwahati, India | [13] |
See also
References
- ^ "Sri Lanka wins first gold medal in South Asian Games 2016 - Sri Lanka News". 6 February 2016. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
- ^ "Abeysinghe Becomes First Sri Lankan Swimmer Ever to Earn World Champs Time Standard". 8 June 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
- ^ "Matthew Abeysinghe breaks Julian Bolling's record for most gold at SAG". News first. 10 February 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
- ^ "Matthew Abeysinghe breaks Julian's Sri Lanka record". Retrieved 10 February 2016.
- ^ "Matthew Abeysinghe Breaks Julian Bolling's 25-Year-old Record". Retrieved 10 February 2016.
- ^ "Seven confirm places for Rio Games". Retrieved 19 January 2017.
- ^ "Swimming: Two women and four men to represent Sri Lanka at CWG 2018". The Sunday Times. Colombo, Sri Lanka. 19 February 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
- ^ Ranasinghe, Dinushki (1 March 2018). "Know your swimmers for Commonwealth Games 2018". www.thepapare.com. Dialog Axiata. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
- ^ http://www.dailynews.lk/2019/12/10/sports/205282/abeysinghe-dominates-swimming-seven-golds
- ^ "Sri Lanka Sports News - Online edition of Daily News - Lakehouse Newspapers". Retrieved 19 January 2017.
- ^ http://www.adaderana.lk/news/37094/ada-derana-sri-lankan-of-the-year-2016-award-winners
- ^ http://www.sundaytimes.lk/170521/sports/mathew-abeysinghe-bags-the-presidential-sports-award-240719.html
- ^ a b c d e f g Sajeewa Jaykody (30 May 2015). "Matthew sets new 100m Butterfly national record". dailynews.lk. Retrieved 26 August 2015.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c d "All the doubting motivated me". The Nation (Sri Lanka). 23 July 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
- ^ "2016 South Asian Games Results". 11 February 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
- Living people
- People from Hazleton, Pennsylvania
- Sri Lankan male swimmers
- Swimmers at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics
- 1996 births
- Olympic swimmers of Sri Lanka
- Swimmers at the 2016 Summer Olympics
- Swimmers at the 2018 Commonwealth Games
- Swimmers at the 2018 Asian Games
- Commonwealth Games competitors for Sri Lanka
- South Asian Games gold medalists for Sri Lanka
- South Asian Games silver medalists for Sri Lanka
- South Asian Games bronze medalists for Sri Lanka
- Asian Games competitors for Sri Lanka
- South Asian Games medalists in swimming