Sri Lanka’s promising youth paddler, 10-year-old Taavi Samaraweera, has already etched his name in the history of Sri Lankan table tennis by reaching No. 03 in the latest updated Under-11 Boys’ World Table Tennis Rankings.
This remarkable feat marks the highest world ranking ever achieved by a Sri Lankan table tennis player in any age group. It is also a historic moment for South Asia, as this promising talent became the first player from the region to break into the Top 3 globally in this age category (Under 11).
According to the latest updated International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rankings, Taavi has climbed 52 places to reach the third spot by accumulating 200 points. Uganda’s Joseph Sebatindira is leading the rankings with 475 points, and he has already earned a spot on Uganda’s senior men’s team. Further, Qatar’s Rabeah Al-Kuwari holds the second position with 217 points, while Sri Lanka’s Taavi stays within touching distance.
This fine talent is a product of S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, and he became Sri Lanka National Rank 1 and Sri Lanka Champion in the Under 11 Category by April 2025.
He has trained throughout his career under his father, Hasitha Samaraweera, and his mother, Chethana Ratnakara. The veteran coach Samaraweera is a past player of Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala, and Dharmaraja College, Kandy, who is an ITTF-accredited table tennis coach.
This incredible accomplishment is a testament to Taavi’s dedication, hard work, and unwavering spirit. Further, Taavi’s breakthrough achievement was triggered by a series of consistent performances at multiple international youth events held during this year. There, Taavi managed to clinch medals in 10 out of 12 international ranking tournaments, including a gold, five silvers and four bronze medals as listed below.
1 World Youth Contender, Puerto Princesa, Philippines – Silver Medallist
2 World Youth Contender, Vadodara, India – Silver Medallist
3 World Youth Contender, Berlin, Germany – Bronze Medallist
4 World Youth Contender, Havirov, Czech Republic – Bronze Medallist
5 World Youth Contender, Prishtina, Kosovo – Silver Medallist
6 World Youth Contender, Helsingborg, Sweden – Silver Medallist
7 World Youth Contender, Sandefjord, Norway – Silver Medallist
8 World Youth Contender, Caracas, Venezuela – Bronze Medallist
9 World Youth Contender, Senec, Slovakia – Bronze Medallist
10 World Youth Contender, Lignano, Italy – Gold Medallist
During the interview with Taavi’s father, he highlighted that all of the above achievements came through personal sacrifices without any support from the Table Tennis Association of Sri Lanka or the Ministry of Sports. He believes that Taavi’s rare achievement will now be recognised by the relevant authorities and will support him with the right backing during his future endeavours. His short-term goal is to reach the No. 01 spot in WTTF rankings by next January. Further, his father believes that his son will qualify for the Los Angeles Summer Olympics 2028 as the youngest Sri Lankan Olympian to compete on the global stage.
Apart from Taavi’s magical achievement, the player with Sri Lankan origin, Tashiya Kameel Piyadasa, the daughter of Sri Lankan national champion Thilina Piyadasa, has emerged in the 14th spot in the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rankings. But at present she represents the United States of America, as Thilina migrated to the USA.
Tashiya is the only Sri Lankan American to become a national champion in table tennis in the USA and represent the USA national table tennis team. In 2022, she won a gold medal at the 2022 US Open Table Tennis Championship. In the 2023 Pan American Championships in Ecuador, she secured four gold medals and an additional gold and silver in the 2023 USA National Table Tennis Championships. This remarkable accomplishment was followed by a silver medal at the 2023 World Hope Challenge in France and a bronze medal at the 2023 World Table Tennis Youth Contender Helsingborg event held in Sweden.
Taavi with the No. ranked player, Joseph Sebatindira (Uganda)
