Olympian Melka Gihani de Silva (on right) and Nadila Nethviru celebrating their triumphant moments after the championship awarding ceremony at Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium.
The National Gymnastics Championships, held coinciding with the 47th National Sports Festival, came to a thrilling close at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium from July 24 to 26. The event showcased exceptional talent and skill as gymnasts from across the country competed for top honors in the Men’s and Women’s categories. Milka Gihani de Silva and Nadila Nethviru emerged as the standout performers, claiming the prestigious titles in their respective divisions.
Representing the Western Province, Olympian Milka Gihani displayed a remarkable performance, securing the gold medal in the Women’s category with an impressive score of 48.65. Her flawless routines and precise execution earned her the top spot on the podium. NN Fernando, also from the Western Province, put up a valiant effort and earned the silver medal, achieving a score of 41.30. Amaya Kalukottage took home the bronze medal, amassing 40.50 points in the competition.
In the Men’s category, Nadila Nethviru, representing the Western Province, proved to be a dominant force, earning the gold medal with a stellar score of 60.15. Nethviru’s exceptional athleticism and skill wowed the judges and spectators alike. PB Nawaratne of the Central Province secured the silver medal with a commendable score of 59.70, while PL Wickramasinghe from the North Central Province claimed the bronze medal with a score of 54.60.
The Western Province gymnasts further solidified their position as the powerhouse in gymnastics by clinching the Women’s team title with a total score of 183.20. Their consistent and outstanding performances throughout the competition led them to the top spot. On the other hand, the Central Province emerged as the Men’s team champions with a total score of 238.20, showcasing their depth and talent in the sport.
In a closely contested battle for the Women’s team runners-up position, the Southern Province finished with an impressive score of 150.80, earning them a well-deserved spot on the podium. Meanwhile, the Men’s team runners-up position was secured by the Western Province, accumulating a total score of 227.40.
The Central Province claimed the third position in the Women’s team category, showcasing their competitive prowess with a total score of 143.75. Similarly, in the Men’s team category, the Central Province secured the third spot with a total score of 208.40.
Sajeewa Jayakody