A 13-year-old prodigy from Edmonton, Sanuka Herath, has taken the Canadian table tennis scene by storm, claiming victory in both the U15 and U17 boys’ categories at the Canadian Junior National Table Tennis Championships. Held in Montreal, Herath’s achievements are particularly remarkable as he outperformed older and more seasoned opponents, establishing himself as a formidable force in the sport.
Sanuka’s journey began in Kandy, Sri Lanka, where he picked up a paddle at just six years old while attending Dharmaraja College. His raw talent was nurtured under the expert guidance of Mr. Hasitha Samaraweera, an accomplished coach and a former student of Dharmaraja College. Under Samaraweera’s mentorship, Sanuka rapidly ascended to become the top-ranked player in Sri Lanka’s U10 category. However, the COVID-19 pandemic stalled his competitive progress, casting uncertainty over his future in the sport.
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In 2021, Sanuka and his family made the life-changing move to Edmonton, Canada, where they encountered significant hurdles in finding the high-level training facilities required for Sanuka’s development. Nevertheless, his passion for table tennis never wavered. Following an intensive training period in Sri Lanka in April 2022, Sanuka participated in his first Canadian national-level selection tournament. He quickly made his mark by winning the U12 title and finishing as the runner-up in the U13 category.
Despite the geographical distance, Mr. Samaraweera continued to coach Sanuka through online sessions. This dedication paid off when Sanuka earned a wild card entry to the International Table Tennis Federation’s (ITTF) prestigious World Hopes program in Hennebont, France, in January 2023. Competing against the top 20 young players from around the world, Sanuka impressed everyone by reaching the top eight, earning a spot in ITTF’s World Hopes Squad.
Later in 2023, Sanuka traveled to Singapore as part of the World Hopes Squad, further sharpening his skills. His training bore fruit when he won his first national title in July 2023, clinching the Boys U13 Canadian National Championship. He followed this up with stellar performances in Europe, finishing second in the Boys U13 category at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Youth Contender competition in Lignano, Italy, and securing third place at the WTT Youth Contender in Szombathely, Hungary. These accomplishments marked him as the first player of Sri Lankan origin to achieve such success on the global stage.
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However, Sanuka’s rise was not without its challenges. Political issues led to Alberta’s exclusion from Table Tennis Canada, complicating his path forward. Furthermore, his immigration status restricted him from leaving Canada for training or competition. Despite these obstacles, Sanuka, supported by his parents and coach, persevered.
Sanuka’s determination culminated in his impressive double victory at the 2024 Canadian Junior National Table Tennis Championships, where he won both the U15 and U17 titles. His success is a testament to his resilience and the unwavering support of his coach, who continued to provide guidance from afar, and his parents, who ensured he received the necessary physical and emotional support. The contribution of Sri Lankan sports psychologist Dr. Sumudu Vipulaguna Rajasinghe also played a pivotal role in his achievements, highlighting the collective effort behind his success.
Sanuka Herath’s story is one of remarkable talent, dedication, and an unyielding pursuit of excellence. As he continues to make waves in the world of table tennis, the future looks bright for this young athlete.
