Sri Lanka which currently runs under the tourism promotional tagline 'Wonder of Asia' at times gives perfect meanings to its comparison. Young Lithmina Mahanama of Wesely College is such a wonder Sri Lanka can be proud of in years to come. Eleven-year-old Lithmina who resides at Battaramulla has just three years experience at table tennis but has achieved the unthinkable.

He has played at over 100 tournaments since the age of eight and has triumphed on several occasions. The most unusual thing and the most perfect description about Lithmina comes of the style he grips the racket. Being a left-handed paddler by nature, Lithmina uses the Penhold style for gripping, a method which is very rare in Sri Lanka. The Penhold style is a rare grip for the players who face inherent weaknesses on the backhand side unlike the convetional 'shakehand' users.

"It's very rare to see a penhold player in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka had Jothipala Samaraweera who is our present coach and Jagath Lakruwan who is now in France. Lithmina is the third penhold player Sri Lanka has seen and during the three years has has made a name for him with his own style," elder brother Sithira Mahanama (17) said.

Though table tennis is not very popular among youngsters, burly Lithmina who could have easily made up a perfect prop forward in rugby had opted to stick to the sport which gives him the comfort to move forward.

"My entry to table tennis was such a coincidence. My mother took my elder brother Sithira to Mrs. Namal Gunasekara who is a well renowned player and coach in table tennis. I too went along with them and while my brother was being interviewed I took a racquet and played a few shots. Mrs. Gunasekara then turned to my mother and said that I was very talented and wanted me to attend practices. My brother and I have the same amount of experience now", said a cheerful Lithmina.

After having played for three years at different levels Lithmina now possesses the ability to beat a much senior player than him. Many, including former and current national players have built up a penchant to see the youngster performing for his elegant style of play. According to his elder brother Lithmina who can continue playing for at least nine more years at school level can be an early national prospect if given the correct guidance.

"We are grateful that we have wonderful parents. They have bought everything to help us continue table tennis. We have a professional table at home and we make sure to practice four days per week. On weekends we attend Mr. Jothipala's classes. Our parents are away and we see each other very rarely. But they make sure to call us everyday and see that we are doing well in studies and table tennis," Sithira explained.

The Mahanama's have a younger member, seven-year-old Naveesh who also is making great progress behind the shadow of the two elder brothers. The three brothers do their practices together and have a thick bond to each other.

"Our big brother is a good trainer. Without him we couldn't be performing this way. All the family members are eager to push me forward and that is a great strength to me," Lithmina added.
Lithmina was selected among 20 other players to represent Sri Lanka at an international event in Austria in June this year. For his age Lithmina has great ambitions. With an able elder brother who manages all the affairs of table tennis including the training, Lithmina could reach the top level in the international arena.

"I'm certain that he can become a national champion at a very young age. Our aim is to push him to the World Rankings and help him to be among the 64 international players so Lithmina will be eligible to play at the Olympics someday. For his age he is doing extra fine," Lithmina's brother said.

- Naushad Amit
Pic by Sanka Vidanagama