Historic Day for Sri Lanka as Lahiru Achintha Wins First Ever Asian Youth Games Gold
Updated Date: 23rd October, 2025
Manama, 23 October 2025 – It was a historic and emotional day for Team Sri Lanka at the 3rd Asian Youth Games 2025 in Bahrain, as two young athletes made the nation proud with record-breaking and medal-winning performances on the track.
Lahiru Achintha produced a stunning performance to win Sri Lanka’s first-ever gold medal at an Asian Youth Games, clinching victory in the Boys’ 1500m event with a Games record time of 3 minutes 57.42 seconds, surpassing the previous mark set in the inaugural 2009 Games. Competing at just 16 years of age, the student of St. Aloysius’ College, Ratnapura showcased exceptional composure and stamina as he surged ahead of the field in the final lap at the Bahrain National Stadium.
The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) hailed his performance, noting that “while China stormed to the top of the medal standings on day two by grabbing five gold medals, it was Sri Lankan Lahiru who caught the eye of Asian Athletics President Dahlan Al-Hamad with his record-breaking run.”. It was also mentioned that, according to World Athletics, apart from Japanese athletes, Lahiru is the fastest in the distance in Asia among athletes born in 2009.
Just moments earlier, Nethmi Gimhani Pulle, a 16-year-old student of St. Andrew’s College, Puttlam, brought home Sri Lanka’s first medal of the 3rd edition of the Games; a bronze in the Girls’ 1500m event, clocking 4 minutes 52.32 seconds. Competing in her first international tour, Nethmi demonstrated outstanding determination and tactical racing against a strong field, earning her a place on the podium and setting the tone for what would become a memorable day for Sri Lankan athletics.
Both medals marked a powerful start for Sri Lanka’s track and field contingent, coming just a day after the official Opening Ceremony of the Games.
More Sri Lankan athletes also delivered strong performances across other athletics events. In the Boys’ 110m Hurdles, Kisal Oshadha finished second in Round 1 Heat 2 with a time of 14.01 seconds but was later disqualified in the final due to a false start. Dewmi Chamalsha ran 14.96 seconds in the Girls’ 100m Hurdles Round 1 Heat 2, while Tharani Nirmina ran 12.36 seconds in the Girls’ 100m Round 1 Heat 2, finishing second in her heat. Tharani later placed seventh in the semi-final. Savindu Sudharaka narrowly missed the podium in the Boys’ Triple Jump Final with a leap of 14.16 meters. Chenadi Dewhara finished sixth in the Girls’ 400m Round 1 Heat 1 in 59.92 seconds, and Shanuka Costa led his heat in the Boys’ 400m Round 1 Heat 2 with 47.79 seconds.
In golf, Sri Lanka’s athletes posted competitive results in the final round. Reshan Algama ranked 12th with a 74, Adithya Weerasinghe 26th with 77, and Jevahn Sathasivam 39th with 82 in the Boys’ Individual Final Round 1, contributing to a team total of 151 points and a ninth-place finish. Kaya Daluwatte placed 11th in the Girls’ Individual Final Round 1 with a score of 69.
Sri Lanka’s beach volleyball teams also competed with determination. In the girls’ preliminary round, Chamudi Adithya and Shadeesha Dilrukshi faced Malaysia and lost 2–0 (21–14, 21–15) before bouncing back to defeat Qatar 2–0 (21–3, 21–5). The boys’ team of Didula Maheema and Kusal Dulmina Sandaruwan lost to Indonesia 2–0 (21–15, 21–11).
In taekwondo, Keshan Nethmina lost 7.45000 to China’s Gao Zixuan 8.06000 in the Boys’ Recognised Poomsae Round of 16, while Vishmi Nethara lost 7.51000 to India’s LAA Amini 8.02000 in the girls’ category. In boxing, Janindu Dhananjaya won a closely contested Boys’ 50kg Preliminary Round against Bangladesh’s Asadullah Md Ali, securing a 3–2 split decision.
Bahrain Hosts Joint OCA-BAYGOC Press Conference Highlighting Challenges and Achievements
During a joint press conference held today, the Bahrain Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia addressed key logistical challenges faced in organizing the 3rd Asian Youth Games on short notice, as well as the successes achieved despite these hurdles. Secretary General Faris Mustafa Al Kooheji, who also chairs the OCA Media Committee, noted that a purpose-built Athletes’ Village would have greatly simplified operations. “If we had three to four years to prepare, we would have built a dedicated village,” he explained, emphasizing the complexity of transporting over 4,000 athletes from 55 hotels across the city.
The OCA Director General Husain Al Musallam praised Bahrain for stepping in after Uzbekistan’s late withdrawal as host, acknowledging the remarkable feat of organizing the Games in just eight months. He highlighted record participation with 4,074 athletes from 45 nations, 26 sports, 232 events, 3,500 coaches and officials, and unprecedented media coverage.
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