Sri Lankan Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Nethmi Ahinsa went down fighting to former Asian champion Chun Lei of China at the Asian Wrestling Championship bronze medal fight recently.
This close fight showed Nerhmi ‘ s potential as she is heading to go for the Paris Olympics .The six minute full fight against Chinese wrestler was a thriller while 19 year old Sri Lankan promising wrestler was outstanding at this meet said a senior official of the National Wrestling Federation.
Chinese wrestler won the bronze medal but it was really a win for Sri Lanka wrestling added Official of the Wrestling Federation and he further said all facilities are provided for Nerhmi to get qualification forthe Olympics which is ultimate goal of the young wrestler .Nethmi competed in the 53kg weight class competition but her achievement against the experienced Chinese player is very vital and that gave Nerhmi a real boost added Wrestling Federation official. Nethmi Ahinsa Fernando won first ever Sri Lanka wrestling Commonwealth Games bronze medal in the 57 kg event at Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022 when she was 17 years old that time . She was the youngest Sri Lanka athlete to win Commonwealth Games medal.
The 17 year-old successfully secured victory over Australia’s Irene Symeonidis by technical superiority in the bronze medal match in the women’s 57 kg freestyle wrestling event at the 22nd Commonwealth Games, creating history as the first Sri Lankan to win a medal in Wrestling at the Commonwealth Games. Nethmi Ahinsa, said she is glad that she could win a medal and achieve fame for Sri Lanka at Commonwealth Games adding that she expects to make up while preparing to qualify for the Olympics. “I hope to bring home a medal from the Olympics,” she said.
“My father is a mason, but he provided me with everything despite the ongoing economic difficulties. My parents fed me as much as they could. Indeed, they were a great strength to me, while my trainer gave me the things neither of them could. this medal does not belong to me, but to them and to my country, she said after winning her maiden International medal at Birmingham . National Olympic Committee and Sports Ministry give maximum support to young Nethmi for her Olympic qualification.
Dhammika Ratnaweera
