Shehana Vithana started playing squash as a child because her parents believed she had too much energy.
She had no idea where it could lead her.
"Well, when I first started, I didn't think that I could actually make it to number one in the country, and, now that I have, I'm like, 'Wow there's a lot more that I can do!' There's so much more that I can do, and it is actually possible, and it's a great feeling knowing that I have it in me and I just have to believe it and work towards it."
Vithana, born in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo, moved to Australia as a 14 year-old with her mother and younger sister.
It was a decision made to help her pursue a career in physiotherapy.
Her father, Arosha, remained in Sri Lanka because of his role in the country's air force, but she is grateful for the opportunity.
"I didn't really see the positives as much when I first moved here. It was just more, 'Oh my gosh, it's so hard. I just want to go back.' But, now, I do see the good in what my parents have done for us, and, yeah, I mean, I try to help my mum a lot -- it's just three of us, in a way, here, so we help each other. I feel like all four of us have got together and help us stand on our feet."
Vithana says she is determined to repay the faith shown by her parents.
And, as part of that, she actually rejected the chance to represent Australia on the world stage.
"I actually got chosen last year as well for the team, but it was right in the middle of HSC trials, so I had to ... I prioritised school over squash last year. And that was one of the hardest things I'd ever done, because the team went to Poland, and I'd see all these photos on Facebook and stuff and I'd be like, 'Oh no!'"
The 18 year-old will play for her adopted country, though, at the junior world championships in New Zealand later this month.
She hopes she can impress scouts and earn a scholarship at a prestigious Ivy League university in the United States.
Following that, Vithana says, she is aiming to play for Australia at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and, potentially, the 2024 Olympics.
"At first, I was like, 'Wow, the Olympics!' But now that I've gotten to this level, it's really helped me realise that it is actually possible. And, yeah, it would mean a lot ... it would mean so much to be able to make it to the Olympics."
Squash is not currently an Olympic sport, but officials are confident it will be included if Paris wins the right to host the 2024 Summer Games.
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