Sri Lanka at the 9th Asian Winter Games

The 9th Asian Winter Games, a premier event on the continent’s sports calendar, will take place from February 7 to 14, 2025, in Harbin, China with the participation of more than 1270 athletes representing 34 National Olympic Committees across the continent. This edition promises to be a grand spectacle, showcasing six sports, 11 disciplines, and 64 events. The event will feature traditional winter sports such as biathlon, curling, ice hockey, skating, skiing, and ski mountaineering, with competitions including men’s and women’s singles and mixed doubles in several categories.

With its impressive history of hosting the 1996 Asian Winter Games, Harbin is prepared to welcome athletes from across Asia. Ice sports will be conducted at existing venues in Harbin, while snow events will occur in Yabuli, a scenic location 200 kilometres from the city. The opening and closing ceremonies will be held at the Harbin International Convention and Exhibition Sports Center. Speed skating will dominate the medal tally, offering 14 golds, followed by short-track speed skating with nine golds.

Amid the excitement, Sri Lanka will be proudly represented by four dedicated athletes in the cross-country skiing discipline, marking another milestone in the nation’s journey in winter sports.

 

M. Sajeev De Silva

Sajeev is a versatile athlete who has represented Sri Lanka in rowing and archery. Also, he had previously competed in the 15km cross-country skiing event at the 2017 Winter Asian Games. His diverse experience makes him a valuable asset to the Sri Lankan contingent.

Event: Cross-Country Skiing, 10km

Competition Date: February 13, 2025

 

Dhanushka Bandara Gollagammana Gedara

A debutant at the international level, Dhanushka is based in Norway, where he works as a snowboard instructor and trains at the Skeikampen Ski School. In addition to competing, he plays a vital role in scouting and training Sri Lankan athletes for future games.

Event: Men’s Cross-Country Skiing, 10km

Competition Date: February 8, 2025

 

Mathota Arachchige Piumi Piyadarshani

Piumi, training under Dhanushka’s supervision in Norway, represents Sri Lanka’s female athletes in the cross-country skiing event. Her journey to Harbin reflects determination and perseverance.

Event: Cross-Country Skiing, 5km Free (Women)

Competition Date: February 8, 2025

 

Shehan Madhura Muthugala

Having represented Sri Lanka at the 2017 Asian Winter Games, Madhura returns to compete in Harbin. Training in Canada has further refined his skills, making him a strong contender for this year’s event.

Event: Cross-Country Skiing, 10km

Competition Dates: February 8-12, 2025

 

It's praiseworthy to note that Sri Lanka won a gold medal in snowboarding at the First South Asian Winter Games in 2011. The gold medalist was Anita Kumuduni Roellin, a Sri Lankan-born athlete from Switzerland. Hence, Sri Lanka's participation in the Asian Winter Games is a piece of evidence of the country’s growing commitment to developing winter sports, a challenging endeavour given the country’s tropical climate. Athletes like Dhanushka, Sajeev, Piumi, and Madhura are paving the way for future generations of winter sports enthusiasts.

The 9th Asian Winter Games will undoubtedly be a thrilling experience for athletes and spectators alike, and Sri Lanka's participation adds a unique narrative to this prestigious event. Let’s cheer for these athletes as they compete in Harbin, showcasing their passion on the snowy tracks of Asia.

 

Written by Senuri Senevirathna | MoraSpirit