Airwoman Nipuni, only gold medallist at Asian Beach Games
Wrestler Nipuni Wasana became the only athlete from the 77-member Sri Lankan contingent to clinch a gold medal at the 6th Asian Beach Games held in Sanya, China. Wasana, 21, an Airwomen, beat Vietnam’s Doan Thi Kim Oanh 3-1 in the final to give Sri Lanka’s first and only gold medal at the Beach Games, after defeating Japan’s Yano Funa 4-0 in the semi-final in Women’s 50kg Wrestling.
“This was my first Asian Beach Games and to win a gold medal on my debut, is something really overwhelming,” Wasana said after her achievement.
“I only trained six months of beach wrestling, and I’m indebted to my father and my master (coach) for inspiring me all the way,” added Wasana, who became the first to give Sri Lanka a gold medal at any Beach Games.
Training under Suranga Kumara, Wasana added her first international medal with the win on Wednesday, as she carried the national flag leading the Sri Lankan contingent at the closing ceremony held on Friday. Currently ranked 38th in the world in Women’s 50kg, Wasana was ranked fifth at the Senior Asian Wrestling Championships 2026 held in Kyrgystan earlier in April in her category.
In total Sri Lanka won a gold, two silver and four bronze medals at the 6th Asian Beach Games 2026 Sanya, with Wasana taking major honours winning the gold in Women’s 50kg Beach Wrestling.
Samanmali Wickramasinghe won one of the two silver medals in Women’s Long Jump, with the Women’s Kabaddi team that included Dilukshana Vimalenthiran, Kajenthini Rasa, Kumudini Bandara, Priyavarna Rasathurai, Madurika Hansamali and Shanika Sudarshani, claiming the other. Sri Lanka’s four bronze medals were won by Shashikala Lankathilaka in Women’s Long Jump, Miranda Jayathra Bandara in Men’s Long Jump, Men’s 4x60m Relay with the team of Sandun Diyalawatte, Pramuditha Silva, Malith Tharushan and Malith Thamel and the Men’s Kabaddi team that included Dilan Sanjaya, Ruwan Samarakoon, Aabith Aqar, Saminda Santhusha, Milinda Chathuranga and Mohammed Ansaf.