Kyle Abeysinghe

Kyle Abeysinghe
Born	(2000-02-04) February 4, 2000 Colombo, Sri Lanka
Occupation	Swimmer
Years active	2014–present
Known for	Multiple national records and medals at international swimming competitions; represented Sri Lanka at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games

Kyle Abeysinghe OLY (born 4 February 2000) is a prominent Sri Lankan swimmer who has represented his country at numerous international meets. On the national stage, he holds multiple records, has claimed several national championship titles, and competes for the Killer Whale Aquatic Club under the guidance of his father and coach, Manoj Abeysinghe. At the 2017 Youth Commonwealth Games held in Nassau, Bahamas, Kyle earned two silver medals in the 50m and 100m freestyle events, becoming the sole Sri Lankan swimmer to secure medals at a Commonwealth-level international competition. He also took part in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games representing Sri Lanka.

Career

Kyle Abeysinghe’s initial international appearance for Sri Lanka was at the FINA Youth Programme in Doha, Qatar, in 2014. The following year, he competed at the Junior World Swimming Championships in Singapore. In 2016, he participated in the South Asian Games in Guwahati, India, where he won a total of four medals: one gold, two silvers, and one bronze. That same year, he also took part in the South Asian Aquatic Championships in Colombo and the 2016 World Swimming Championships (25 m) in Windsor, Canada. At the South Asian Aquatic Championships, he amassed four individual gold medals and one silver, while contributing to three relay golds and two silvers—equalling his brother Matthew’s medal count.

During the Windsor championships, Abeysinghe broke national records in both the 200-meter Individual Medley and 200-meter Freestyle events, surpassing previous benchmarks set by Olympians Heshan Unamboowe and his brother Matthew Abeysinghe. At the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games, he achieved two silver medals in the 50m and 100m freestyle disciplines—distinguishing himself as one of only a few Sri Lankan athletes and the only swimmer to earn medals at a Commonwealth Games event.

Later that year, he competed at the FINA World Junior Swimming Championships. Early in 2018, Kyle was part of Sri Lanka’s first relay team to reach a final at the Commonwealth Games (4x100 Freestyle Relay) held on Australia’s Gold Coast. At the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, he recorded Sri Lanka’s second-best time ever in the 100m freestyle behind his brother’s mark. Although selected for the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics in Argentina, health complications prevented him from competing. He later participated in the 2018 FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m) staged in Hangzhou, China.

2014 Fina Youth Programme

Kyle was among two swimmers chosen to represent Sri Lanka at the FINA Youth Programme conducted in Doha, Qatar.

2015 Junior World Championships

He took part for Sri Lanka at the Junior World Championships held in Singapore, competing across freestyle distances of 50m, 100m, and 200m as well as the 200m Individual Medley.

2016 South Asian Games

In February 2016, Abeysinghe joined Sri Lanka’s extensive swimming squad at the South Asian Games in Guwahati, India. At just 15 years old, he contributed to a historic gold medal performance as part of the 4 × 100 m Freestyle relay team. Additionally, he earned two silver medals with the teams in the 4 × 200 m Freestyle relay and 4 × 100 m Medley relay events along with an individual bronze medal in the 400m Freestyle.

2016 South Asian Aquatic Championships

This event marked Abeysinghe’s highest international medal haul to date, where he secured seven gold medals along with three silver medals.

2016 World Championships

After his success at the SAAC, he went on to represent Sri Lanka at the World Championships held in Windsor, Canada. There, he set new national benchmarks in both the 200m Freestyle and 200m Individual Medley events, surpassing previous records established by his brother Matthew and Heshan Unamboowe.

2017 Commonwealth Youth Games

In July 2017, Abeysinghe was selected to be part of Sri Lanka's delegation for the Commonwealth Youth Games. He secured two silver medals in the men's 50m and 100m freestyle races, marking Sri Lanka’s inaugural swimming medals at any Commonwealth Games tier.

2017 Junior World Championships

Following his achievements at the Youth Commonwealth Games, Abeysinghe earned a spot on Sri Lanka’s national squad for the Junior World Championships hosted in Indianapolis, USA.

2018 Commonwealth Games

Abeysinghe was included in Sri Lanka's team for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in February 2018. He played a pivotal role in making history for Sri Lankan swimming by helping the 4 × 100 m Freestyle relay team reach their first-ever final at the Commonwealth Games. Unfortunately, the team faced disqualification due to an early takeoff by the anchor swimmer.

2018 Asian Games

After triumphing in three events during the Asian Games Trial at Sugathadasa Stadium in July 2018, Abeysinghe was named to represent Sri Lanka at the Asian Games. His freestyle timings of 23.36 seconds (50m) and 50.14 seconds (100m) ranked as the second fastest ever recorded by a Sri Lankan swimmer, trailing only behind his older brother Matthew Abeysinghe.

Personal life

Kyle Abeysinghe lives in Colombo and is an alumnus of Wycherley International School. He trains under the guidance of his father and coach, Manoj Abeysinghe, at Killer Whale Aquatic Club (KWA). Kyle is one of five brothers who have all distinguished themselves as swimmers. Andrew Abeysinghe is a former national champion and gold medalist at the South Asian Games. Matthew Abeysinghe holds numerous records including the highest number of gold medals won at a single South Asian Games, has competed as an Olympian, and holds South Asian records. Dillon Abeysinghe has also been a national champion and earned medals at the South Asian Aquatic Championships.

Their father, Manoj Abeysinghe, established Killer Whale Aquatics in 2010 and has since driven it to become a dominant force in national championships across both short course and long course formats.

Collectively, Kyle and his three brothers maintain the national record for the 4x50 Medley Relay.

External links

• Kyle Abeysinghe at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics