Sandali, a star in the making

Sandali Ranasinghe, a student of Vishaka Vidyalaya in Colombo 05, has been a keen athlete with outstanding achievements.

The Visakhian athlete has added an array of achievements in athletics. In 2012, she won the gold medal in the high-jump event at the Western Province Education Zone - Colombo, Divisional sports meet and won the second place in the high-jump event at the Sri Lanka School Athletic Association all island junior championship held in Embilipitiya. In 2008, when she was 10 years, Sandali secured first place in the high jump event at the Divisional Sports Meet, Colombo South, Western province education zone and first place at the Sri Lanka School Athletic Association, all Island junior championship.

Sandali demonstrates a talent in high jump as proven by her achievements. In 2009, she won the first place at the All Island Junior Championship. In 2010, she won the All Island Junior Championship held in Matale.

The next year, she won the All-Island Junior Championship in Kandy, third-place at the all-island senior championship in Diyagama and second-place at the all-island senior championship in Beliatta. All these events were conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Athletic Association.

She receives training under physical training instructor Muditha Liyanapathirana of Vishaka Vidyalaya and Coach Richard Sepala Perera. Sandali has demonstrated significant achievements in high-jump. However, being an ardent athlete and looking at continuously developing her skills, she has also excelled in long jump.

Being part of a relay team placed third at the 2011 Western province Education Zone - Colombo, Divisional sports meet of Colombo South in the 4 x 100m category, she demonstrated her ability to perform and contribute as a team player. Sandali's long jump achievements include a third place finish at the 2011 Western province Education Zone, Colombo, divisional sports meet of Colombo South. In 2010, Sandali was able to break a seven-year record for high-jump in the Western Province Education Zone.

Sandali's outstanding performances in athletics have been recognised by her school and she has been named among the best performers of Visakha Vidyalaya in Athletics in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The continuous excellence achieved by Sandali is a testimony to the attitude of hard work and dedication she has towards the sport.

She has also received support from her parents who believe that she is gifted with an athletic ability and they support her success.

According to her parents, Sandali maintains a balance between her athletic and educational commitments.