The new year has brought fresh challenges for the Nelson Squash Club’s top player, Bihandu Nanayakkara.
The 16-year-old and his Sri Lankan family have moved to Tauranga as he pursues his international ambitions.
Bihandu arrived in Nelson two years ago, seeking greater opportunities. He quickly established himself as the best player at the club, and national success followed.
Last year he won the South Island U17 title, was third at the North island equivalent and filled the same place at the nationals in Auckland in September.
Bihandu went two sets up in the semi-finals there against the top ranked player Vihan Chathury before going down in five sets.
Now the rivals will become teammates at Tauranga Boys College next month. “They have a really good squash programme up there,” declares the former Nelson College student.
He is grateful for the encouragement he received from his local club. “I don’t think I would have got that level of support anywhere else in the country.”
His Nelson base meant lots of travel and the costs involved with that. It paid off in December with the teenager being listed as a 2026 Squash Junior Worlds Potential Player.
“It just improves everything. I get access to top coaching and strength and conditioning programmes. I am very happy,” enthuses Bihandu.
“That was fantastic news for him,” declares Nelson Squash Club committee member Di Connolly.
“He really deserved it,” says Di, who had championed his cause and will continue to support him from afar.
Bihandu had already started training under national coach Jonathan Kemp in Tauranga before the Nanayakkara family relocated on 30 December.
His immediate international goal is the Australian Junior Open in Melbourne in April as he continues his pathway towards a professional squash career.
He is also a keen chess player and reckons he might have to check out surfing too now that he’s moved to the Bay of Plenty.
