The 13-year-old Kael Liyanage managed to clinch the bronze medal in the Super Junior category at the International Practical Shooting Confederations’ (IPSC) Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC) & Mini Rifle World Shoot Championship 2025, held from 12th to 25th May in Znojmo, Czech Republic. This marks a landmark achievement for Sri Lankan shooting sports, it is Sri Lanka’s first individual medal at a World Championship in practical shooting.
Competing alongside teammates Daniel Kao and Sandil Kottegoda in the Pistol Caliber Carbine Discipline, Kael excelled in the competition where 1,095 elite shooters from 64 plus countries participated. Competing with courage, honor, and heart, Kael proved himself to be a true competitor on the global stage.The gold and silver medals in the event were secured by the United States and the Czech Republic respectively.
Yesterday Kael returned to Sri Lanka and the officials from Sri Lanka Rifle Association, Kaels family members and well wishers of the sport were present at the Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake for his reception.
His remarkable achievement highlights Sri Lanka’s evolving success in practical shooting and it will definitely inspire the future generation to follow his footsteps. Kael’s extraordinary achievement at such a young age can not be considered as just clinching another medal, but it should definitely be taken as a portrait of the potential of the Sri Lankan youth players. Kael Liyanage’s skill, commitment, discipline, and world-class performance have placed Sri Lanka firmly on the global map of competitive shooting.
 Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC) & Mini Rifle World Shoot Championship 2025, held from 12th to 25th May in Znojmo, Czech Republic. This marks a landmark achievement for Sri Lankan shooting sports, it is Sri Lanka’s first individual medal at a World Championship in practical shooting.){kind=link}