Netball: Head and shoulders above the rest

Mareesha Fernando of Sri Lanka. Photo / Getty Images

Rugby line-out moves have been used on the netball court at this week's world championships in Singapore, with some teams finding creative ways to try to combat Sri Lankan shooter Tharjini Sivalingam.

At 2.06m tall, Sivalingam is the tallest woman in history to play the game at international level - and 10cm taller than any other player at the world championships.

This is the first time Sivalingam has been spotted by the wider international community and her presence at the world tournament has certainly set heads turning.

Sri Lanka earned entry into the world championships by virtue of winning the Asian Championships in 2009.

They beat hosts Singapore in the final 77-48, with Sivalingam contributing 74 of her country's goals.

The two teams met again yesterday in a play-off for lower rankings at the world tournament, with Sri Lanka again getting the better of Singapore to post their first win of the tournament.

Singapore, who are coached by New Zealander Kate Carpenter, tried their all to contain Sivalingam, who towered over the slight defenders.

Goal keep Premila Hirubalan, who stands at just 1.7m - the same height as Silver Ferns midcourter Temepara George - resorted to lifting her defensive partner Qingyi Lin to try to block the shot. Sivalingam still shot 60 from 61, at an impressive 98 per cent accuracy rate.

Given her height, Sivalingam has captured a lot of attention at the tournament. It is attention the shy shooter has struggled with, but overall she said she has enjoyed her first major tournament.

"It is very exciting to be here," she said.

When asked where her height comes from, Tharjini answers simply - "God".

Her parents are both of average height, as are her four brothers and one sister.

Sri Lankan coach Hyacinth Wijesinghe said Sivalingam was first discovered in 2004, walking down the street. She was roped into playing at a local netball tournament that day, playing in barefeet and a long skirt and, despite having never played the game before, dominated.

"We were very excited to discover her, any team would love to have a player of her height."