Mahith Perera is one of the finest all-round sportsmen of his generation. A product of S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, Mahith who turned 18 on October 12 has represented his school in football, rugby and cricket. The pinnacle of his career was playing in the Battle of the Blues.
Following are excerpts of an interview with the Sunday Observer.
Q: Describe yourself in one word?
I’d describe myself as motivated
Q: Any words or phrases you overuse?
I can’t think of anything specific but most of the phrases I would use usually are connected to my mentality of wanting to enjoy my life and have fun.
Q: What is your most marked characteristic?
I would like to think my discipline is one of my best characteristics and definitely the one which has helped me get where I am in my life right now.
Q: If you could edit your past, what would you change?
I don’t have many regrets but I would definitely be more cautious about which people I trusted and let into my life in the past.
Q: What is the most important thing in your life?
Many things are important to me but my friends and family definitely top the list.
Q: Who has influenced you the most?
My father is one person who has influenced me a lot, both in terms of my cricket and my life in general.
Q: Are you fashionable?
Definitely, my sense of style is almost as good as my cricket.
Q: If you had access to a time machine what would you change?
I would most probably change some of the mistakes I made and fix the things I regret.
Q: What motivates you in your life?
My main motivation is knowing that I have the potential to be one of the best sportsmen of my generation and that it would be a waste if I didn’t achieve my potential.
Q: If you could choose any career right now, what would it be?
I’d love to be a professional cricketer or maybe start my own business.
Q: What forms of music do you listen to?
Any music which makes me feel motivated and relaxed, mostly rock music.
Q: What’s the best thing you would like to hear from someone?
I like when people tell me that they see my potential and think I will go far in life.
Q: What made you choose sports?
From the time I could walk, I realised I have an affinity towards sports as I love being outdoors and enjoy being active. It was never a question that I would end up playing sports.
Q: Thus far what was your most unforgettable sporting incident?
There have been many significant moments for me but scoring the half century for the one-day match in the Royal-Thomian was definitely an unforgettable moment in my sporting career.
Q: What’s your best school sporting achievement?
Getting the opportunity to play the 142nd Battle of the Blues encounter is one of my greatest achievements.
Q: What is your idea of happiness?
As long as I’m content with my life, surrounded by people I can trust and love and am doing something I love, I’ll be happy.
Q: What is the trait you most deplore in others?
I have always valued people I can trust and depend on so I naturally dislike people who are two-faced and who are not loyal.
Q: What has been your biggest disappointment?
I don’t view things which don’t go the way I want them to as disappointments, rather, I look at them as opportunities to learn, grow and be the best version of myself.
Q: Most important lesson life has taught you?
I learn new lessons from living my life every day but one thing which has stood out to me is that not everyone will want the best for me but as long as the people closest to me believe in my potential and I believe in myself, I can achieve anything I want to.