Lahiru and Nethmi shine bright as Sri Lanka secure medals

Saturday, 25 October 2025 00:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Lahiru Achintha

Nethmi Pulle

SL vs Iran Basketball 3 X 3

Sri Lanka celebrated a historic moment at the Asian Youth Games (AYG) 2025 in Bahrain, as young middle-distance runner Lahiru Achintha brought home the country’s first-ever Gold Medal at the event. His triumph in the Boys’ 1500m final marked a milestone for Sri Lankan athletics on the Asian stage.

Hailing from Ratnapura, Lahiru delivered a performance of sheer class and determination, clocking an outstanding 3 minutes 57.42 seconds to secure the top spot. Competing against a field of talented runners from across Asia, Lahiru showed exceptional pace, endurance, and race awareness to outshine his rivals in what was one of the most thrilling finishes of the Games so far.

His victory not only earned Sri Lanka its maiden gold in Bahrain but also showed the country’s growing strength in middle-distance running. Lahiru’s achievement stands as a results to his discipline, training, and commitment to excellence – a performance that will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of young Sri Lankan athletes.

Adding further pride to the nation, Nethmi Gimhani Pulle made her mark in the Girls’ 1500m final, clinching Sri Lanka’s first Bronze Medal at the Games. Clocking 4 minutes 52.32 seconds, Nethmi displayed tremendous fighting spirit, staying composed under pressure and pushing hard in the final stretch to secure a podium finish.

Her medal-winning performance added balance to Sri Lanka’s athletics campaign, proving that both the boys’ and girls’ teams have the talent and potential to compete at the highest level in Asia. Nethmi’s result also underlined the steady progress of women’s athletics in Sri Lanka, where young female athletes continue to rise through dedication and perseverance.

The two medals one Gold and one Bronze brought immense joy and motivation to the entire Sri Lankan contingent. With 100 youngsters repressing the nation, including 56 boys and 44 girls, this early success has provided a much-needed boost of confidence for the remaining events.

Team officials expressed optimism that Lahiru’s and Nethmi’s achievements will have a ripple effect across the camp, lifting morale and inspiring others to give their best in the days ahead. The victories serve as proof that Sri Lanka can compete shoulder-to-shoulder with Asia’s sporting powerhouses when talent is backed by preparation and self-belief.

Their success also reinforces the importance of continued investment in grassroots athletics from school-level training to international exposure to build on this foundation and create future champions.

As the Asian Youth Games 2025 continues, Sri Lanka’s young athletes carry renewed determination and pride, inspired by Lahiru Achintha’s golden stride and Nethmi Gimhani Pulle’s bronze brilliance – a shining start to what could be one of the nation’s most memorable youth sporting campaigns.

In the Boys Basketball segment Iran beat Sri Lanka 7/21 while in the Girls event Iran beat Sri Lanka 6/21. Basketball 3 X 3 Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh 21/6 and Yemen 22/16. In the Girls event Sri Lanka edged out Maldives 19/14.