A nation will be holding its breath on the edge of the seat as gymnast Nadila Nethviru goes for the Asian Games to do what none has ever done:
Nadila Nethviru, the reigning national gymnastics champion of Sri Lanka, is on the brink of making history as he prepares to become the first gymnast to represent the island nation at the Asian Games in nearly a decade.
His quest for glory will unfold in the Pommel Horse event at the 19th edition of the Asian Games, set to take place in China later this month.
With an impressive Starting Value of 15.60 in four out of six gymnastic events, Nethviru has positioned himself within an attainable range of 14.00 points. His lifelong coach, Ranjana Tharanga, who will accompany him to the Games, expressed optimism about Nethviru’s performance, stating: “He has a significant chance to achieve something remarkable at the Asian Games.”
Nethviru, fresh from clinching seven gold medals at the recent National Championships, spoke passionately about the honor of representing Sri Lanka on the international stage. “I am thrilled to have been selected. It’s a tremendous responsibility to be the sole gymnast representing Sri Lanka and I am determined to bring home a medal for my country,” said Nethviru.
Dedicated to the sport for over 11 years, Nethviru began his gymnastics journey at the Kugimiya Munehiro Club at the tender age of seven. His prowess extends to the Pommel Horse and Floor Exercises, as well as the Uneven Bars and Parallel Bars, where he has earned his place among world-class athletes.
In gymnastics, maintaining consistency is pivotal during competitions and Nethviru’s ability to do so could be the key to his success. It’s worth noting that Sri Lanka has never secured a gymnastics medal in the history of the Asian Games across 19 editions. However, Nethviru’s potential shines bright, especially considering his remarkable feat of conquering all six event categories and the Overall gold medal at the recent National Championships.
At just 18 years old, Nethviru’s extensive training at the Kugimiya Munehiro Gymnastic Association has borne fruit as his club emerged as the overall boys and girls champion in the 28th National Gymnastic Championships all under the guidance of national coach Ranjana Tharanga.
Nethviru’s astonishing achievement of winning all six event categories and the National Men’s Championships is unprecedented in the history of the National Championships, surpassing even the previous record held by Tharanga, in 1996.
However, Nethviru faces a significant hurdle in the form of his limited international experience. A series of issues within Sri Lanka’s National Gymnastic Associations deprived him of numerous opportunities to participate in international events. His sole international appearance was at the Central South Asian Gymnastic Championships in 2020 in India, where he secured a silver medal at the age of 15, narrowly missing the gold due to what some may call stage excitement.
Now competing in the Senior Category at the age of 18, Nethviru is determined to overcome previous administrative obstacles and leave his mark on the international stage. Coach Tharanga expressed regret over the missed opportunities but remains hopeful for Nethviru’s performance. “If he had international experience, I would have a straightforward prediction about his medal,” said Tharanga.
With Nethviru’s impressive Starting Value and unwavering dedication, his chances of reaching the podium in the demanding Pommel Horse event remain high, offering a glimmer of hope for a historic moment in Sri Lankan gymnastics at the Asian Games.
As the nation holds its breath in anticipation, Nadila Nethviru is ready to leap, twist and flip his way into the annals of sporting history.