But later that year she was invited to join several other girls for a training stint for a few months in Canada for an upcoming national competition.

Her first competition where she represented her country was at the World Youth Games in Moscow, Russia in the team and figures category.

She later participated in a duet category as a demonstrator for synchronised swimming at the 1998 Commonwealth Games held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

She also participated in her first ever FINA World Championships held in Fukuoka, Japan in the duet category where she placed 23rd with a score of 75.931.

[1] Then, leading up to the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England, it was thought that Sara was likely to win the bronze medal in the duet category.