Mangalore:  If Mamatha Poojari from Karkala has come out in flying colours by steering her team to victory in the Kabaddi world cup and the Asian Beach Games, another coastal girl, this time  from Ullal, is set to make waves.

She is none than Sahana Kumari, the high jump sensation who is in the news recently after she was qualified for the London Olympics after she scaled a  height of 1.92 meters, setting a new record in the qualifying round. This  lively athlete hails from Ullal, though presently settled in Bangalore after  marriage.

Sahana is an alumnus of  Anandashrama School of Ullal and Sri Gokarnanatheshwara College of Mangalore. It is the encouragement extended by her parents that has helped Sahana achieve great heights.  Right since the school level Sahana used to take part in sports events and win prizes. Presently,  she works for  Central Railways, a job she secured under sports quota and stays in Bangalore with her husband Nagaraj, also an athlete and daughter Pavana.

Sahana says it is the encouragement by her family, her parents and husband that has helped her achieve success in the sport field. Even her sister is a high jump athlete like her, while her brother is a volleyball player.

Sri Gokarnanatheshwara College in Mangalore is certainly proud of its old student who has made it proud and hopes she would bring laurels to the nation in the London Olympics.