A star born to shine
Sri Lanka’s newest sensation in badminton, Lekha Shehani is a buoyant character off the court yet her personality is not the same when she competes. This may have been the reason behind the recent success of Shehani, a 20-year-old who is attached to the Sri Lanka Air Force Volunteer Force.
Just about three weeks ago Shehani, stamped her authority in badminton by winning her major title, the National Women’s
Lekha Shehani in action at a recent competition. - Pix by Athula Devapriya
Championship at the 61st Badminton Nationals held at the newly constructed indoor complex in Nawalapitiya.
“This was not an overnight success. I worked really hard to reach this status, since the age of eight at my school, the Convent of Our Lady of Victories in Moratuwa. Since then I just kept on working, till I reached my goal,” stated a highly thrilled Shehani.
In the Women’s Singles final Shehani beat schoolgirl Kavindu Ishadi Sirimanne by two sets to one. Though her opponent was two years younger than she is, Shehani’s win against her opponent reflects her own rise to stardom, as far as the young badminton prodigy is concerned.
It was just four years ago when she battled viciously in a Women’s Singles final at the SSC Open, as a 16-year-old schoolgirl against the much experienced Chandrika de Silva who was double her age then.
She claimed the first two sets, upsetting the seasoned campaigner Chandrika before going down fighting by three sets to two, but Shehani managed to prove that she is a star born to shine. Her impact as a youngster doubled when the star of that period, Thilini Jayasinghe got beaten by Shehani.
“I have competed at the Badminton Nationals since 2009. Last year I became the runner-up to Thilini Hendahewa. I was adamant to win this title ever since I took up to badminton,” she added.
Besides badminton Shehani was a committed an athlete, who represented her school at the 1500m, 800m and 400m,4x400m relay and 4x100m relay track events at zonal and district level. But badminton has always been her forte.
Shehani was felicitated by her school Badminton team, after winning the National Women’s Singles title
“If I took part in athletics, it was due to the fitness strength gained from badminton. I wanted to keep myself occupied at school with other sporting activities. But it was a premeditated decision that I should reach the national level in badminton,” she stressed.
So far Shehani has worked under many coaches, ranging from Himali Fernando, her coach at school to her present national coach, Malaysian Shankar Annamalai. But Shehani states that her greatest motivator behind her success is her father.
“He may not be an expert in badminton but he is a keen observer of my game from the beginning. Besides the expertise that I get from my coaches and fellow players, my father provides me with vital tips for my improvement,” Shehani stated.
At present Shehani is ranked 438th in Women’s World Singles rankings in the Badminton World Federation index, but that does not give a true insight of her capabilities. So far she has won many titles at junior national level, including a triple crown in 2009. Up to date Shehani has competed at over 15 international competitions including the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010 held in Singapore.
Besides her performance at the recent Maldivian Open, where she reached the quarterfinal stage, Shehani rates her win at the Badminton Nationals was her best ever so far. She has aims to bring glory to Sri Lanka with an international gold medal as well. To make that dream a reality Shehani targets the South Asian Games and beyond that the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janiero in Brazil.
“If a target a gold medal I would be able to win a silver or a bronze medal without much hassle. In addition I’m determined to retain the Women’s Singles National title at least for another five years. I’m more committed and firm in my ambitions,” revealed Shehani, who prolongs to become a successful badminton coach in the future.