Pushpamali Irene Ramanayake, who represented Sri Lanka in rifle shooting events at the Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992, was born in Divulapitiya on December 25, 1967. She was educated at the Minuwangoda Horampelle MV and at Nalanda MMV, Minuwangoda.
At the latter School, she had participated in volleyball, netball and gymnastics. In 1984 and 1985 she won the Inter-Schools gymnastics title.
A new leaf of her life was turned when she joined the Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps after she had completed her secondary education.
She turned her attention to the sport of rifle shooting and through dedicated practice and application she was able to win the Best Markswoman title in 1990, 1991 and 1992.
She recalled with gratitude the help and assistance given to her by two of the best marksmen in Sri Lanka, Lt. Col. Daya Rajasinghe and his brother Lt. Col. Lakshman Rajasinghe.
Ramanayake was able to achieve the Olympic Games Qualifying standards at the World Cup Shooting Championships held in Switzerland in 1990.
She confirmed her ability at the Asian Games and at the SAF Games held in 1991. She favoured the air rifle and the standard rifle events.
In the air rifle event at the Barcelona Olympic Games, she obtained the 37th place out of 50 shooters. Following are some of her major achievements: 1991 SAF Games: Silver Medal. 1992 Barcelona Olympics: participated. 1996 Atlanta Olympics: participated. 2004 Athens Olympics: participated. 1994 Victoria Commonwealth Games: Women’s Air Rifle Team Gold Medal. (C.D)
0 comments:
Post a Comment