Thomian Sajeev de Silva 'Oarsman of Year'

by Leslie FERNANDO

Hard work has its rewards - and Sanjeev de Silva who is a keen member of S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia rowing team has won many laurels in rowing and to top them all he was awarded the “Oarsman of the Year” Trophy for his splendid performances in rowing during April 2008 to April 2009 by the Colombo Rowing Club in association with the Amateur Rowing Association of Sri Lanka.

ROWING: The 17-year-old Sajeev de Silva of S. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia, was awarded the "Oarsman of Year" Trophy for the year 2008 for his super showing in rowing during the period of April 2008 to April 2009 by the Colombo Rowing Club in Association with the Amateur Rowing Association of Sri Lanka.

Sajeev `A' Level student won the prestigious trophy for the `Oarsman of the Year 2008' award for his great skills in rowing. He has performed well for S. Thomas' from year 2006 todate.

Sajeev said that rowing has become his favourite sport. Rowing is a tough sport and to master the craft and Oarsman needs endurance, strength, balance and mental discipline. He started rowing at the age of 13 and in 2006 won the first Vanculenberg Trophy for junior sculls. `I will represent the college for two more years and my aim first is to bring honour to the college and then represent the country at the highest level and somehow win a gold medal at an international meet and become a professional Oarsman. Even after my school career I will continue to row', a determined Sajeev said.

Sajeev is a strong rower with fine technique. He has the strength and power to sail smoothly.It should be noted that Sajeev was the only rower to win an event - `B' sculls representing the Colombo Rowing Club at the Annual 71st Madras - Colombo Regatta 2008 held in Madras.

He said that his coach Chevantha Sirimanne, a former Thomian, CRC and national level Oarsman is guiding him to come the top in rowing.Sajeev de Silva's achievement for the year 2008. At Club Regatta's: Won the Gordan Armstrong Junior Sculls, HMS Enterprise Fours, (team) Wardrope Intermediate Sculls, Centenary Oar Fours (team) Herman Sirimanne Sculls, Colvin Sirimanne Double Sculls. 71st Madras - Colombo Regatta - 2008 won the `B' sculls and `B' Double Sculls.

Represented the S. Thomas' at the following regatta's in the year 2008: Rowing Nationals and won the under-19 sculls, under-19 pairs, under-19 Double Sculls was member of under-19 winning fours team, Open Double Sculls.

At the Joes Open Sculling Championships 2008, he won the under-17 sculls, under-19 sculls, under-19 Double sculls and third place in under-19 Quad Sculling event.

He represented the Thomian team that won the Overall Trophy at the 35th Royal-Thomian Regatta 2008 - won the `A' sculls and `A' pairs too with record timings.