November 17, Colombo (LNW): The sun hasn’t set yet, but the future of Sri Lankan badminton shines bright as Ranithma Liyanage, the “Black Horse” of Sri Lanka Badminton, prepares to enter the finals of the Bahrain International Series 2024. At just 17 years old, Ranithma has already etched her name as a formidable athlete, carrying the hopes of a nation and the promise of a new era in Sri Lankan Badminton.
Sri Lanka has long cherished moments of glory on the international badminton stage, with legends like Chandrika de Silva, Thilini Jayasinghe, and Niluka Karunaratne setting the bar high. But Ranithma’s journey represents something more profound—a testament to the resilience and revival of Sri Lanka Badminton after years of rebuilding.
Under the guidance of Sri Lanka Badminton President Rohan de Silva and supported by strategic initiatives like training partnerships with Indonesian players, young athletes like Ranithma, Viren Nettasinghe, and the doubles duo Isuri and Sithumi are rewriting the narrative of Sri Lankan badminton. Their performances reflect dedication, planning, and an unwavering belief in their potential.
Ranithma’s victory over the Philippines’ Mikaela Joy De Guzman in the semifinals (21-11, 21-8, 21-18) is a testament to her mental resilience and physical endurance. Her maturity and focus are beyond her years, and her determination echoes the aspirations of an entire nation.
The finals promise to be a thrilling clash as Ranithma faces India’s Prakriti Bharath, the Spanish Under-19 Junior Champion. It’s a match that will demand every ounce of skill, strategy, and stamina. Yet, no matter the outcome, Ranithma has already proven her mettle as one of Sri Lanka’s brightest stars.
Slogan: “Ranithma Liyanage: Lighting Up the Courts, Inspiring a Nation!”
Sri Lanka watches with bated breath, cheering on its young star who is on the cusp of history. Let’s celebrate her journey and hope for a future filled with even greater triumphs!
*Adapted from original article, “ලංකාවේ කාන්තා බැඩිමින්ටන් වෘතාන්තයේ පෙත්තක් – රනිත්මාට බහරේන් ජය ගන්නට සුබ පැතුම්!” by Nishman Ranasinghe published on 17/11/2024.
