Nethmini Bandara – shows promise as a woman karateka

Nethmini Bandara, a 15 year-old lass from Pinnawala Central has shown her prowess in the martial art of self defence (Black Belt in Karate) and is hoping to continue to be an expert in her chosen art of self defence.

She took to karate at the tender age of 8 years, mainly to learn the art of self defence and also enjoy the art as a sport that serves a dual purpose. In the Sabaragamuwa Province meet where 20 teams were in the fray, Nethmini Bandara’s school Pinnawala Central won the second place, just behind St. Joseph’s College, Kegalle.

Nethmini toured India in 2010, to participate at the 2nd Asian Open Karate Championship in India where 65 countries participated. Sri Lanka won the Asian Open Karate Championship, winning the under 12, under 15 and under 19 categories.

Nethmini gets enough support from her school, mainly the Principal Gamini Jayatissa, Physical Training Instructor Kalani Pelpitiya and Vasantha Chadrakanthi and coaches Padmasiri Manjula and Mahinda Rajakaruna who have molded the team into a forceful unit.

RA