Defensive stroke or offensive stroke, top spin or back spin ; this 16 years old Imesh Udaya Ranasinghe of Vidyartha College Kandy is distinguishable in both accomplishment and achievement.
ThePapare.com engaged in conversation with him to perceive the essence of his success as a magnificent table tennis player.
Udaya having put to spate all his older more experienced opponents in Sri Lanka moved on to take the world of Table Tennis by storm.
Udaya, being a coloursman in the school currently holds the U18 island rank 1st in both men’s singles and men’s doubles and has held this position since 2008 in his particular age group. Possessing a nimble wit, he always has a cutting comeback for any intended losing ball thrown his way. He has proved himself with his laminated wooden paddle since his inception of the game with a long championship winning streak. The most recent ones being the champion of open men’s singles and U18 singles in the Open All Island ranking Championship and also he captured the U18 singles championship in NWP All Island junior ranking Championship 2014 with the award for most outstanding player displaying his mastery in all kinds of spins and strokes.
Taking his extremely dexterous potentiality beyond the borders, he represented Sri Lanka for Lucofonia Games in Goa winning the team event bronze medal and World Table Tennis Championship in Japan winning the 4th division Silver Medal in 2014. He also won both under 15 team event and single event Silver Medal of the South Asian Junior Championship 2012 held in India. Since 2010 he has proudly represented his motherland and excelled in South Asian Junior, Asian Junior, Junior Cadet, Commonwealth and World Table Tennis tournaments touring in Thailand, Iran, India, China, France, Korea, Qatar and Japan.
International Tournaments
1) Represented Sri Lanka Junior Table Tennis team for tour of South Asian junior championship in India year 2010.
· Won the silver medal in under 15 team event
2) Represented Sri Lanka junior Table Tennis team for tour Asian Junior Table Tennis championship in Thailand in 2010
3) Represented Sri Lanka junior team for tour of junior cadet table tennis championship Iran year 2010
4) Represented Sri Lanka Junior Table Tennis team for tour of South Asian junior championship in India year 2012
· Won the silver medal in under 15 team event
· Won the silver medal in under 15 single event
5) Selected to Represented Sri Lanka junior team for Asian Junior Table Tennis championship in China 2012
6) Represented Sri Lanka team for Commonwealth Table Tennis Championship in India 2013
7) Represented Sri Lanka team for World Table Tennis Championship in Paris 2013
8) Represented Sri Lanka team for Asian Table Tennis Championship in Korea 2013
9) Represented Sri Lanka Junior team for South Asian Junior Table Tennis Championship in India 2013
10) Represented Sri Lanka Junior Team for Asian Junior Table Tennis Championship in Qatar 2013
11) Represented Sri Lanka Youth Team for Asian Youth Games in China 2013
12) Represented Sri Lanka team for Lusofonia Games in Goa 2014
· Won the Bronze Medal in Team Event
13) Represented Sri Lanka team for World Team Table Tennis Championships Japan 2014
· 4th Division Silver Medal
Tell us about the background for your unsurpassed performance?
We have a big history of being a genuine sports family and I think those genes are yet continuing. Looking back to my family history many members had been excelled nationally and internationally themselves in Soccer, Rugby Foot Ball, Boxing, Athletics and Cricket then brought honour to their Schools, Clubs & Country. So I carry on that tradition up to another milestone besides I should mention that I am well guided by my experienced coaches.
How have you integrated yourself so cleverly into the game?
I don’t do any magic for my victories. You should practise persistently to keep up your rhythm. That’s what I do. I practise six days per week and 4 hours per day doing some power exercises to keep fit and fast. When I face my opponent I always keep my head cool and learn quickly from my mistakes. Observe his strengths and weaknesses, then accordingly change my game plan.
What is the beginning of your table tennis career?
It was in the year 2004. I never had any dream of being a Table Tennis star. But once my college decided to shift whole TT equipment and location to the College primary hall at Nittawela ,Kandy within the vicinity of my residence, then my grandmother forced me to participate for practices and she took me there regularly. That’s how it all began.
Any virtues and shortcomings you recognize in the game play?
Generally as weaknesses most players fear to face strong opponents as they underestimate themselves comparing others’ high ranks, classes, victories and show ups. Next weakness is you fail or neglect to study the history of his performances. Third one is you have no proper game plan according to your opponents strengths and weaknesses. Finally, for each player they should have the spirit of ‘never giving up’ even if you lose in the end. Once you rectify all above weaknesses, you will be converted to a strong TT Player.
How can this kind of sport facilitate your personal growth?
It helps me in many ways. Now I’m recognized nationally and internationally as well. I earned this position with lots of sacrifices as well as under lots of difficulties. My life isn’t a bed of roses. Fortunately now I have sound links with people. It helps me to rise above some difficult situations through their support. Next, sport builds a man with a good personality. I feel I’m getting matured day by day. Disciplined, patient, dedicated and energetic character can always be called as achievers.
Does the TT table affect your classroom desk?
The sport has boosted my education up to a special extent. Any person who is healthy in body and mind absorbs the subject basics with no time. Thanks to the sports I’m no mug in education. Though I missed some lessons due to TT games, those will be caught up soon. I’m counting to prove it with upcoming O/L examination. Watch out!
What do you anticipate for the future?
I won many international medals to my motherland. I have all my expectations and the positive spirits to bring a Gold medal in Olympics and be a Professional TT instructor. But to do so I should have more international match experience and more overseas training sessions as well as a strong backup of local sponsorship. I have proved that I’m something out of blues. Therefore I take this chance to request His Excellency the President Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksha and the Honourable Sports Minister Mr. Mahindananda Aluthgamage to help me in my endeavours.
Any final words?
I should thank my parents for bringing me to this world, my grandparents who feed me, dress me, protect me and show the light to the path of progress. All my uncles, aunts and relatives who stood behind me when I’m desperate, my College Principal, staff & OBA members who extend their valuable support all the time. My coaches Mr. Buddika, Mr. Gayan, Mr. Nirmala & Mr. Jagath who found me from nowhere and added extraordinary value to me. Thibar Company who sponsor me the latest TT equipments. The Honourable Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage who treats me like a son. The Central Province Governor who hails me in every victory and the members of sports & TT Association who are so kind to me at every occasion and finally all my fans and colleagues for lifting my spirits up.
Words cannot express the lad’s unmatchable capability furnished with his impressive credentials which will definitely pave the way for more brilliant prospective triumphs. Undoubtedly the most talented player in Sri Lanka, Udaya Ranasinghe with the assistance of the respective people will march his fantastic career forward to be one of the Table Tennis’s brightest supernovas.
ThePapare.com feels privileged to report the talents of the young genius and wish him all the strength.
