Nethmi aims global glory
Nethmini with her family members
Mayurapada National School, Mawanella schoolgirl, 12-year-old Nethmini Chamathya Katupitiya has dreams of representing the country at the Olympics in the sport of Muay Thai after winning a gold medal in the Max Fit event at the World Youth Festival 2020.
Muay Thai or ‘Thai boxing’ has received provisional recognition as an Olympic sport by the International Olympic Committee.
A combat sport that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques, this discipline is known as the ‘art of eight limbs’ as it is characterised by the combined use of fists, elbows, knees and shins.
Nethmini was among several medal winners for Sri Lanka at the IFMA Virtual Muay Thai World Championship 2020 and the UTS – World Youth Festival 2020.
Sri Lanka athletes were able to secure two gold medals, one silver medal and three bronze medals at the United Through Sports (UTS) World Youth Festival 2020 which was organised under the patronage of IOC International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee, Special Olympics, AIMS, Sport Accord and GAISF.
More than 80 sport organisations from all around the world participated for this competition. Sri Lankan athletes represented IFMA (International Federation of Muay Thai Associations) in this competition.
Nethmini training in Muay Thai
Nethmini won a silver medal in the Max Fit / J12 Female Youth and partnering Maryam Murthasa another silver medal in the Aero Fit / J14 Coed Youth events at the IFMA Virtual Muay Thai World Championship 2020.
At the UTS Virtual World Championship, Nethmini won a gold medal in Max Fit and pairing with Maryam Murthasa a bronze medal in Aero Fit event.
She burst into the national limelight when she won a gold medal in Max Fit at the Muay Thai Virtual National Championship 2020 and partnering Maryam Murthasa a gold medal in the Aero Fit event in the Under-14 category at the Muay Thai Virtual National Championship 2020.
A Grade 8 student of Mayurapada National School Nethmi is also a fine athlete. She has competed in the 100 metres, high jump and long jump being champion in her age group at school and circuit meets and also took part in the 4x100m relay event at national level.
“I like to do athletics and Muay Thai. I like to do everything. I am not scared to do combat sports,” said Nethmini who is also a fine dancer. She has attained the highest achievement in Kandyan dance – Pahim Path Mangalya.
Nethmini with IMA coach Fahid
“My favourite subjects are Science and Geography. I was always confident of winning in Muay Thai because I trained a lot under Fahid Sir. He taught me and I trained morning and evening. I want to represent Sri Lanka in Muay Thai and go to Olympics,” said Nethmini whose ambition is also to achieve a high position in the country’s health service. Her eight-year-old sibling Irushi Uththara, a Grade 3 student of Mayurapada National School is also following in her elder sister’s footsteps and started training in Muay Thai.
“We took an interest in Muay Thai because of my friend Murthaza Sadak Ali,” said Nethmini’s father Saman Kumara Katupitiya. Murthaza’s two children Maryam and Bassam also excelled at the IFMA Virtual Muaythai World Championship 2020 and the UTS – World Youth Festival 2020.
“I also practice Muay Thai and Kick boxing when I get time training with IMA (Iron Muay Thai Associations) coach Fahid. Thanks to IMA our children are competing at international level and dreaming of representing the country at Olympics,” said Katupitiya, 39, a Sergeant attached to the CRD (Criminal Record Decision) of Sri Lanka Police. Katupitiya was also a fine athlete during his school days competing in the middle distance events such as 800m and 1,500m at national level.