Sri Lanka’s rising badminton star, Ranithma Liyanage, soared to golden glory at the prestigious All England Junior Badminton Championship, clinching the Under-19 Girls’ Singles title in stunning fashion.
The tournament, held in Birmingham, England, brought together 57 top young shuttlers from 13 nations, but it was the 19-year-old Lankan ace who stole the spotlight. Ranithma powered through the draw and entered the finals against a strong English opponent, where she delivered a flawless performance, winning the match in straight sets without dropping a point in either game — a rare feat at this level.
Returning to the island last evening via Katunayake International Airport, the young champion was welcomed with open arms by officials from Sri Lanka Badminton, including its President Roshan Gunawardena, as well as her proud parents.
Ranithma, who is also the reigning national women’s singles champion in Sri Lanka, studies at Christ King Girls’ College in Baddegama, Galle. Her latest triumph not only adds another medal to her growing collection but also places her firmly on the radar of the international badminton circuit.
With this emphatic win on English soil, Ranithma Liyanage has once again proven that Sri Lanka can produce world-class talent — and her golden smash in Birmingham is just the beginning of what promises to be a dazzling career.
