Imanka Ariyapala captained Vidyartha College in the inter school rugby championship. He represented and vice captained Army Sports Club and Havelock Sports Club in the inter club rugby tournament as an exceptional speedy centre/wing three quarter and a flanker.
Then he went on to represent the Carlton Super Sevens Rugby tournament played in Colombo. He also had the honour of representing Sri Lanka senior national fifteen a side rugby team as well.
Speaking to Daily News Imanka said “My journey into the world of sports started because of the Influence that I got from my beloved school Vidyartha”.
“There are many people who have supported me to be the person who I am today, hence I am grateful to all of them, especially my whole family and coaches”.
“I chose this sport of rugby because it is a contact game and strength and power is essential to play the game which ultimately made me play rugby”. “Throughout my entire life my priorities are my family and rugby and my favourite destination is Nuwara Eliya”.
“One of the most unforgettable incidents was in 2012 against Kandy. I was playing at that time for the Army team and we lost the match by 6 points to 9 During my free time I like to spend more time with my pets”.
“My favourite singer is an Ivorian reggae singer called Alpha Blondy”.
“From a school Rugby player to becoming a professional rugby player is really great, because you need a lot of sacrifices and commitment to achieve that and I did it in my life, so I’m really honoured”.
“As we know South African rugby captain Siya Kolisi started his journey at the beginning with a lot of difficulties and a lot of bottle necks and lately he has became a legendary Rugby player of South Africa. Not like Siya, I also felt that I have come across lots of difficulties to come up to this level. That is the greatest accomplishment in my life”. My favourite rugby player is Richie McCaw, the New Zealand All Blacks former national team captain”.
“The best compliment that I got was in 2013, when at the Kandy versus Army match in Nittawela, I scored the first try for the Army team and the comments that I received from my coaches and outsiders were the biggest compliment that I received in my life.” “Yes I’m very happy with all my achievements so far as a young man and I would surely like to deliver my very best in the near future”. “In life I always believe what I do and I don’t compare myself to anyone”. On a concluding note Imanka said that he likes to describe himself as an absolutely dedicated person in life and training really hard to keep his physical fitness to continue playing the game of rugby which he loves very much”.
by Daily News Sri Lanka
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