Sethidu Vinuwan Wickramasingha (11) brought honour to Sri Lanka at the recently concluded Asian Gojuryu Karate Championships held in Kathmandu, Nepal.
This pre-teen Karate kid won a silver medal in the Kumite team event and a bronze medal in the individual Kata (Movement) category. Based on these two performances. Sethidu was awarded the Best Player or Best Cadet Boy Award. He is also a holder of a Yellow Belt (Q7). 
Sri Lanka became the second runner-up conceding the first two places to India and Nepal.
Fourteen countries participated in the Junior Category including the host country Nepal, India and Pakistan. Sethidu was the only Sri Lankan competitor where over 500 competitors took part.
Host country Nepal and India fielded over 100 competitors each.
For Sethidu Vinuwan it was indeed a dream come true as he entered the competition determined to bring credit to himself and Sri Lanka.
What is extremely noteworthy is that the Gojuryu 2023 was this Karate kid’s first ever foray into the competitive Karate arena, both local and foreign. Sethidu says that though he felt slightly nervous at first, he soon got over it and faced the competition confidently.
Sensei Damith Bandara, Sethidu’s coach had this say about the young champ.
“Sethidu is a very talented and dedicated boy who rarely misses a practice and diligently follows instructions. I am confident that he will go far in his Karate career.
Currently, his focus is the World Karate Championship in Austria in 2024.
He is working very hard towards it and has his sights set on bringing glory to Sri Lanka.
Sethidu Vinuwan hails from Gampaha and is currently a Grade 6 student at Wycherly International School, Gampaha. In addition to Karate Sethidu plays basketball in school. He likes studying English and Maths.
A typical pre-teen of our times Sethidu’s favourite clothes are denim jeans and tee shirts. Pizzas, burgers and ice cream are also top of the pops with him.
He also likes to watch movies including Batman on Youtube.
Now, Sethidu’s main goal is success at the Karate World Championships 2024 in Austria.
Owing to the efforts of Sensei Danith Bandara Sri Lanka has got the opportunity of hosting the 2025 Asian Gojuryu Karate Championships.