RAVISHKA: A RISING STAR IN THE MAKING

Dedication and determination are vital aspects in any sport and that has been the successes of 18-year old Salpadoruge Thehara Ravishka Fernando a talented athlete hailing from Maris Stella College Thimbirigaskatuwa who for sure will be in the news in time to come.

- By M.SHAMIL AMIT

Presently Ravishka as he is fondly known has achieved tremendous success since he began wearing the spikes and making his appearance at the junior level in the field of athletics in the first of three schools he attended which was at the Royal Institute International School Gampaha

It was Terans Weerakoon, his first mentor, who has been the motivator as he saw in Ravishka immense talent capable of achieving great heights in the field of athletics.

"His (Weerakoon) guidance and motivation was the main reason for my passion", said Ravishka whose first fling was in the high jump event.

Ravishka achieved his first success in the year 2018 when he did the Under-12 high jump at the International Schools Athletic Championship (ISAC) with a leap of 1.32m which was a new record at the ISAC meet and followed it up by securing the third place in the Under 14 level with an improved leap of 1.45m. He was honoured with the best athlete of the year award at the Royal Institute's prize giving.