• A deep-dive into aquatic sport with national record-breaker Dulanjan Fernando

Much like how we never see the flurry of activity underneath when we watch ducks and swans swimming, in the world of competitive diving, every graceful plunge into the water is a delicate balance between skill, precision, and strength. 

Lankan aquatic sports saw a new name make its mark earlier this month when a rising star, Dulanjan Fernando broke barriers and set a new record for Sri Lanka. Competing at the CAMO International Competition in Montreal, Dulanjan shattered the existing national record in the three metre springboard event. 

The Sunday Morning Brunch sat down with Dulanjan for a chat on diving and aquatic sport, what it takes to compete internationally as a diver, and his hopes for trailblazing a path for Lankans to follow in the realm of competitive diving. 

Dipping his toes in the world of aquatic sport

Dulanjan’s connection with diving was serendipitous, but his passion for it has come to define his life and career. “I started diving when I was very small. My sister used to dive, and one day, I just started diving,” he recalled, adding: “I fell in love with the sport.”

Becoming a champion diver was a long path and not an easy one, especially bearing in mind that Sri Lanka’s facilities for training divers aren’t the best, but his love for the sport helped him become a champion at his alma mater Royal College all through his school career, starting from the Under 9 category all the way to competing as a teenager in the Under 19 category. 

Brunch asked Dulanjan what the biggest misconception was when it came to diving, and we learnt that it was so much more than diving off a board into a pool; something, Dulnajan pointed out, which was still an issue at the national training level as well as in the minds of the general public. 

“A diving board is only 50% of the sport,” he shared. Describing diving as a discipline closely connected to gymnastics due to its acrobatic nature, he highlighted the comprehensive training regimen required: “When we do diving, we need to do gym and yoga, be flexible, lift weights – you name it, we do everything. It’s connected to everything.”

The triumphs and trials of competitive diving

Dulanjan’s competitive journey in Sri Lanka was marked by numerous accolades, making him a national and school champion from ages nine to 19. He participated in professional competitions such as the Asian Games in 2014 and Asian Nationals in 2016. However, his professional diving career hit a pause in 2018 when he moved abroad for higher studies.

However, fate had other plans. While pursuing sports science at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia, Dulanjan rediscovered his passion for diving due to the excellent facilities available. Within just two years, he not only qualified for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games but also reached the finals, earning a scholarship from World Aquatics that has him training in Canada until August 2024. 

Dulanjan’s achievements extend beyond breaking records; they represent an extraordinary journey of determination and passion. His return to competitive diving after a hiatus, the speed with which he mastered six diving techniques, and the unprecedented national record he set are milestones that highlight his resilience and dedication. From national and school championships in Sri Lanka to reaching the finals at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, Dulanjan’s journey is a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence.

His historic achievement at the CAMO International Competition in Montreal signifies not only personal triumph but also a breakthrough for Sri Lankan diving on the global stage. Breaking the national record with 288 points in the three metre springboard event, he surpassed the previous record of 247 points set in 1996 (a record incidentally set by another former Royal College diver, Janaka Biyanwala, the last Sri Lankan diver to represent the country in the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics).  

Breaking the record was not immediately apparent to Dulanjan. “I didn’t realise until my coach came up to me and told me, ‘You just broke a national record.’” While acknowledging his accomplishment, he expresses a hunger for more: “I could have done more, got more points. I am happy with what I’ve achieved, but I want to keep diving at a higher place in the world. I want to get 300-350 points to be placed among the top 30 in the world.”

The art and science of diving

Dulanjan provided insight into the intricate world of diving, where mastering each technique is a meticulous process. “To master a single dive, it takes six months – to correct every position, takeoff, and entry,” he said. His ability to learn and master six techniques within two years is a testament to his dedication and perseverance, as well as the support he received and the facilities he was able to train at while in Australia and Canada.

In competitions, divers must perform six dives, each of which are carefully judged. The judges evaluate various aspects, including techniques, takeoffs, entries, and even the position of the toes. “The judges look for everything. In many ways, diving is more of a mental sport than a physical sport,” Dulanjan explained, underscoring the importance of mental strength in this acrobatic sport.

Dulanjan also took Brunch through a typical day in the life of a competitive diver, emphasising on the rigorous training schedule. Currently, he undergoes full-time training for World and Olympic Games. His day starts at 9.30 a.m. with dry land and pool sessions until 12.30 p.m., followed by another session from 1.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., involving both dry land and water training. Gym sessions, acrobatics, and flexibility training are integral components. Altogether, Dulanjan spends about 35 hours a week training. 

Dulanjan also spoke of the challenges faced by competitive divers in Sri Lanka, noting a general lack of infrastructure; for example, the absence of dry land centres and proper equipment for training. He noted that while the country had fearless and talented athletes, a lack of knowledgeable schools and coaches often hindered their progress. “Diving is a beautiful sport, just like cricket, and it has the same potential globally,” he said, stressing that strengthening the support given to competitive divers on a national level could do a lot to bring Sri Lanka glory on the global stage. 

It isn’t entirely about support on the national level, however, for Dulanjan noted that having trained in Sri Lanka, Australia, and Canada, there was also room for improvement in the mindset of Sri Lankan divers when it came to friendliness and supporting other divers while maintaining a competitive spirit. 

A lack of national support has done nothing to dim Dulanjan’s desire to fly the Lankan flag high and proud. His ultimate goal is to participate in the Olympics. As the third Sri Lankan diver to ever be recognised by the World Aquatics Federation (the last being in 1996), Dulanjan has set his sights high, but with his passion and dedication, he has every hope that he will be able to represent Sri Lanka at many global sporting meets, including but not limited to the Olympics. 

In the pool and beyond, Dulanjan Fernando is making waves that extend far beyond the ordinary, leaving an indelible mark on the world of diving and proving that a small island nation like Sri Lanka can produce world-class athletes in the most demanding sports.