In a sport where nerves of steel and split-second decisions make the difference between glory and heartbreak, young Kael Liyanage fired his way into the history books.
The 13-year-old prodigy brought home Sri Lanka’s first-ever individual medal at a World Championship in practical shooting, showing the world that even a small island nation can produce giants in sport.
Competing at the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) Pistol Calibre Carbine (PCC) and Mini Rifle World Shoot Championship 2025 held in Znojmo, Czech Republic, Kael clinched a bronze medal in the Super Junior category, becoming a national hero overnight.
Kael, a student of the British School in Colombo, had to navigate 24 challenging stages at the Hodonice and Oblekovice shooting ranges, where each course demanded not just accuracy but lightning-quick reflexes and calm under fire.
With 1,064 of the world’s best shooters from over 54 countries taking aim at glory, the competition was fierce, but Kael held his ground like a true marksman.
The gold and silver medals in Kael’s event went to sharpshooters from the United States and the Czech Republic. But it was the Sri Lankan youngster who stole the headlines back home. Raising the Sri Lankan Lion flag high, Kael gave the country a moment to savour in a sport that has long remained in the shadows.
“This is a very special day for me and for Sri Lanka,” an emotional Kael said after his victory. “I trained hard for this, and I’m very happy to bring home a medal for my country.”
In sporting terms, Kael came out with all guns blazing, proving that he was not there just to make up the numbers. While his teammates Daniel Kao and Sandil Kottegoda also gave it their best shot, it was Kael who hit the bullseye with a performance for the ages.
The Sri Lanka Rifle Association hailed his achievement as a game-changer, and rightly so. In a sport where Sri Lanka has often been a dark horse, this young shooter has opened a new chapter.
Practical shooting is not for the faint-hearted. It demands a sharp eye, fast hands, and an even sharper mind. Competitors move through courses, shooting at multiple targets in different positions and from varying distances – a true test of skill, speed, and nerve.
The IPSC World Shoot is considered the pinnacle of the sport, attracting the world’s top marksmen and women in a battle of precision and composure.
Kael’s medal is more than just personal glory. It is a shot in the arm for Sri Lanka’s shooting fraternity, a moment that could inspire a new generation of shooters to take up the sport.
As the sun set over Znojmo that evening, the Sri Lankan Lion flag fluttered proudly, and a young boy from Colombo stood on the podium with a bronze medal around his neck.
