In a historic achievement for Sri Lankan diving, 24-year-old Dulanjan Fernando set a new national record in the 3m springboard diving event at the CAMO International Invitation Plongeon held in Montreal in Canada from 30 November to 3 December. This accomplishment not only marked a personal milestone for Fernando but also earned him recognition from the prestigious World Aquatics, making him the third Sri Lankan diver to achieve such global acclaim.
A former diver from Royal College, Dulanjan achieved a remarkable feat by scoring 288 points in the 3m springboard event, surpassing the previous national record of 247 points held by Janaka Biyanwala since 1996. Biyanwala, also a former Royal College diver, was the last Sri Lankan diver to represent the country in the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics.
Dulanjan’s outstanding performance not only broke the national record but also exceeded the World Aquatic Championship qualification mark of 250 points. As a result, he secured his spot in the Doha World Aquatic Championship scheduled for February 2024.
Expressing his joy from Toronto, Dulanjan said: “I am actually happy. I want to keep diving in a higher place in the world. I want to get into 300-350 points to be placed among the top 30 in the world.”
The CAMO International Competition featured top diving nations such as the USA, Italy, Sweden, Germany, Canada, and Mexico. In the 3 m springboard event, Dulanjan faced stiff competition from the world’s top 18 athletes, and he qualified for the finals as the eighth diver with an impressive score of 230 points in the first round.
In the final, Dulanjan’s stellar performance earned him 288 points, securing the national record and a commendable sixth-place finish. His journey to this achievement began when he was the national champion in diving in Sri Lanka before leaving the country in 2020 for higher studies in Melbourne, Australia, at the age of 20.
While pursuing sports science at Deakin University in Melbourne, Dulanjan rekindled his passion for diving due to the excellent facilities available.
In just two years, he not only qualified for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games but also reached the finals, earning him a scholarship from the World Aquatics on 1 June 2023. The scholarship, valid until 31 August 2024, further acknowledges his talent and potential.
Dulanjan Fernando’s remarkable journey from giving up the sport in 2018 in Sri Lanka to reclaiming his place among the diving elite in 2020 in Melbourne is an evidence to his dedication and resilience in the face of challenges.
(Sri Lanka Sports.com)