Ranthushka Sasindu Karunathilaka is a promising badminton player with big dreams of making it to the 2024 Olympics as the old guard is on their last legs having exploited all opportunities but without a medal for the country.
Karunathilaka won two silver medals at the recently concluded South Asian under-21 Badminton Championships held in Katmandu and has promised to leave no stone un-turned.
“Actually I am ready for more international tournaments to focus on the Olympics. Every player has a dream to get to the Olympics and now I am on that track,” said the 19 year old player from Nalanda College.
“I had the chance to win two silver medals at the South Asian under 21 championships. I won silver at the men’s Singles event and at the final lost to an Indian but I made him fight hard in a three setter game in this final.
“In addition I was lucky to win the another silver at the mixed doubles event partnered by Dilmi Dias. I think winning these medals at the international tournament is a very good exposure for us. If Sri Lanka Badminton can give more opportunities to players like us it is very important to build up a career,” said Karunathilaka the left hander who was also the National runner-up at the men’s Open event.
He entered the final of this year’s Nationals and lost to Dinuka Karunaratna the more experienced player to take the runner-up award. In addition he won the championships at the recently concluded Uva Province Badminton Tournament held in Bandarawela.
When I was in grade four, I started playing Badminton. My elder brother
Karunathilaka took to badminton while in grade four following in the footsteps of his brother Malith Dilshan.
At the time Karunathilaka was studying at President’s College in Maharagama and was first persuaded by his teacher Anula Navaratne to try his hand in the sport.
Harsha Hettiarachchi was his first coach and gave him good lessons to learn the basics from the beginning and the young Karunathilaka did not look behind and had more opportunities come his way at his new school Nalanda College.
“Bimal Kotalawala and my present coach Yukthi Perera always gave me good support while my parents backed me to go forward,” said Karunathilaka.
He played in the World Junior Badminton Championships three times in 2016 in Spain, 2017 in Indonesia and 2015 in Thailand. In addition he played in the Asian Junior Championships in Thailand in 2016 and Indonesia in 2017 and also toured Australia for the Lining Junior Tournament in 2017.
Karunathilaka says he gains his inspiration world champion Chinese shuttler Lin Dan who is a two-time Olympic champion and five times world champion.
“I want to go on this journey for an Olympic medal and I can only hope hope Sri Lanka Badminton and the Sport Ministry will lend me a hand to build up my career. Especially when we go on a foreign tour we have to face financial difficulties. Sponsors are very important. I know Niroshan Wijekoon and Niluka Karunaratne had their chances at the Olympics and I also have a dream,” said Karunathilaka.