THE LEGACY LIVES ON

Sixteen-year-old Nisal Sri Jayamaha, older son of  Dandenong residents Yasas and Pradeepa Jayamaha, took away the coveted second placing in the KATA Martial Arts category at the recent 2017 IKA  (Independent Kyokushin Alliance) National Championships in Canberra in July. 

Nisal started learning the sport of martial arts at the tender age of six at the BJ Kyokushin dojo in Dandenong (Victoria) under the guidance of Sensei Z uz.   He has competed and won many trophies and medals throughout his years of training in karate. He is currently a Brown Belt with a Black Tag.

Nisal is the grandson of famous Sri Lankan boxer S.P Jayasuriya, Bronze Medallist in the Flyweight category at the Fourth Asian Games, Jakarta, 1962.  

Nisal dedicated his accomplishment to his grandfather who passed away before the Nationals and couldn’t see his grandson compete and win. Jayasuriya was a well-known athlete and boxer. In 2010 Jayasuriya was felicitated by the Sri Lankan Sports Ministry when he was presented with a Gold Medal by the former President Mahinda Rajapakse for bringing honour, pride and glory to Sri Lanka through his athletic and boxing prowess both locally and internationally.

Nisal hopes to take his karate skills all the way to the top with ambitions to win national and international titles, following in his famous grandfather’s footsteps.

Story and pictures by Marie Pietersz, Melbourne