The final day of the athletic meet of the 3rd Asian Youth Games 2025 concluded at the Bahrain National Stadium, in Riffa, Bahrain. Promising young athlete Dilini Nathsala clinched the first bronze medal of the day for Sri Lanka, and it was followed by another silver which came courtesy of the Boys’ Medley Relay event. With these victories, the Sri Lankan contingent was able to end their campaign on a high, as far as Sri Lanka’s previous performance on the Asian stage is concerned.
The promising youth talent from Lyceum International School, Wattala, Dilini Nethsala Rajapaksha, was the first athlete to feature in today’s Finals. In this much-awaited and star-studded event, Dilini leaped 12 metres and 31 centimetres to claim the Triple Jump bronze, and managed to lift Sri Lanka’s medal tally after a couple of days. The gold medal of the event went to Xie Yiging of China (13.28 metres), and the silver medal went to Zeng Ziyun of Chinese Taipei (12.36). After a competitive performance, Dilini missed the silver medal by just 5 centimetres.
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This future prospect also holds several junior national records in both Long Jump and Triple Jump events. Her latest success in the national athletics arena came a month ago when she jumped 5 metres and 96 centimetres in the Long Jump and 11.66 m in the Triple Jump, setting new meet records.
The Sri Lankan team was placed among the top three at the first batting change after the 100-metre lap. During the second sprinter’s run of 200 metres, the Sri Lankan player emerged to a clear lead, well ahead of the others. During the 300-metre lap, the Sri Lankan sprinter had a good run and managed to maintain the first position. On the contrary, the Chinese player had an explosive run, and he advanced to the second position from the fourth position, and came closer to the Sri Lankan who was leading the way. The final lap of 400 metres brought the spectators to the edge of their seats as the trailing Chinese attempted to overtake the leading Sri Lankan numerous times. Though the local boy did well to maintain the lead, the Chinese did well to pass him just at the finishing line. The unlucky Sri Lankan team had to be satisfied with a silver due to a delay of just 0.02 seconds, after leading almost 90% of the race until the last second.
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The silver medal-winning team comprised Nirudhaka Vishal (St Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa), Bingumina Adithya (Ananda Sasthralaya, Matugama), Shanuka Costa (Gateway College, Colombo) and Chamindu Sathsara (Dudley Senanayake College, Tholangamuwa).
Gold Medal – China (2 minutes and 52.80 seconds)
Silver Medal – Sri Lanka (2 minutes and 52.82 seconds)
Bronze Medal – Chinese Taipei (2 minutes 55.82 seconds)
In the preliminary round of the Girls’ Medley Relay event, the Sri Lankan contingent placed 2nd with a timing of 2 minutes and 18.02 seconds and secured their place in the Finals. However, the Sri Lankan team failed to perform well in the Finals, as they were placed 6th with a timing of 2 minutes and 18.65 seconds. The strong UAE side comprising African-origin athletes cruised into first place (2 minutes and 07.79 seconds), while the Indian girl made an excellent comeback in the final 50 metres of the race to clinch the silver (2 minutes and 09.65 seconds). The bronze medal went to the Chinese girls, who clocked 2 minutes and 10.14 seconds.
With the final day’s performance, Sri Lankan athletes managed to secure a gold, a silver and four bronze medals, while other players also came up with impressive efforts.
Gold Medal
Lahiru Achintha – Boys’ 1500m Race
Silver Medal
Boys’ Medley Relay Event
Bronze Medals – 04
Nethmi Sandeepa Gimhani Pulle – Girls’ 1500m
Shanaka Costa – Boys’ 400m Race
Chathura Dhananjaya – Javelin Throw
Dilini Nethsala Rajapaksha – Girl’s Triple Jump
