Nivanka a star in the pool
Diving is not the most popular aquatic sport in Sri Lanka but there
are few excellent Lankan divers who are able to make the country proud.
Nivanka Nanayakkara of Bishops College is one such talented diver who
has been an integral part of the Bishops College Diving Team which has
been winning a majority of the Diving Championships in the Schools arena
in the recent past.
Nivanka Nanayakkara |
Nivanka took to aquatic sports first as a swimmer establishing a new
under-9 age group record for the back stroke in the Bishops College
inter-house swimming meet in 2003. Then swimming was her passion
competing and winning many accolades at inter-schools and inter-house
meets.
Since 2004, diving has been Nivanka’s pride and passion. From 2004
she has represented her school in diving at the national age group and
the junior national diving championships and the Sri Lanka Schools
Swimming and Diving Championships.
Throughout her diving career Nivanka has enjoyed success in the 1
meter, and 3 meter springboard and platform diving events. Her
performance was recognized by the school with a “Merit Award” for diving
in the years 2008 and 2009. In 2010 she was adjudged the “the best diver
2010” at the Bishops College colours awards ceremony.
Her performance this year has been exceptional in all events of the
national age group and the junior national diving championships
organized by the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union. Incidentally Bishops
College won the national age group championship this year with her
points tally helping to boost the BC score. In the junior national
diving championship 2011 worked off at the Royal College pool last
month, she was adjudged the “best diver” and also brought greater glory
to her alma mater by ensuring BC’s 2011 Junior National Championship
victory.
Her dream is to achieve greater excellence in the sport and bring
glory to Sri Lanka. Her journey thus far has been made possible through
the commitment and dedication of her first coach Mahinda Liyanage and
the present BC diving coach Esiri Kankanige. |