Nethmi fought having her country in mind as she conquered CWG
Nethmi soon after claiming her bronze in Birmingham
Aspiring wrestler Nethmi Ahinsa, having etched herself into the history books as the youngest Commonwealth Games (CWG) medallist for Sri Lanka, is not resting on those laurels, still pouring her way.
Nethmi’s next stop en route to the pinnacle of sports and personally herself, will be the Under-23 World Wrestling Championships, to be held in a few months in Spain.
“I’ve already started for that since this week,” she said on Friday, targeting her next triumph having her precious and prized medal, lying on the thick wood table.
The bronze medal was bestowed on her after she emerged victorious in the 57kg Freestyle event.
“I don’t believe in wildcards. I have to participate at the Olympics qualifying tournaments. I must earn my place there,” Nethmi told assessing her path exactly a week after her CWG crown during an exclusive interaction with the Sunday Times.
Recounting on the moments ahead of the third place match, she explained, “Prior to the match, the Australian was joking in front of me. I disregarded those. I was entirely focused on the match, remembering the tips, tricks and techniques told by my master.”
The result of her hard work came as a medal
“I constantly had my country in my mind and only fought,” she said, after turning 18 on June 17, declared patriotically about that fabulous and fruitful Friday adding, “I’m elated and excited that I rewrote the local history books. Winning the maiden medal in wrestling for the island in this edition’s CWG.”
This was also the first time she won big in a major meet.
“I first wanted to win my opening match. Because, having high hopes and aiming for the stars, will only leave you under mental pressure. However, I got a walkover as the Cameroon fighter did not show up. In my semis, I was up against the World No.2. Then I faced the Aussie in the third place decider,” she opened up, clad in that typical sportswear, flanked alongside her parents.
Replying whether the win synced and soaked into her immediately, she said, “I was euphoric and ecstatic. I didn’t know whether anyone had walked this path before. To win at CWG, in this age category and that too as the youngest, was only happiness.”
However, only her mother, Ranmali Wasundara, 41, and her eldest daughter, caught the action of Nethmi, now a record breaking medal winner, having done proud to one and all, from Wasundara’s sister residence, a hop-step away from their home.
“Sister’s son alerted and wanted us to rush as Nethmi’s fight had been announced. We dropped everything we were doing and rushed, unbothered by the pitch dark route and animals, in between. I and my eldest daughter only went,” Wasundara said.
Nethmi’s win, fourth and final medal in Sri Lanka’s medal tally, was recorded in her father’s absence, opting to skip due to the unpredictability and nervousness of the result.
“Even for local tournaments, he does not easily show up,” both the mother and daughter said with a giggle.
With proud parents, mother Wasundara and father Nishantha - Pix by M.D. Nissanka
The house maker elaborating on how it all unfolded watching from here at home, detailed out, seven of them, had joined en masse for a match viewing party.
“I was so delighted, I eventually burst into tears of joy when we found out. It was a mix of emotions – cheer, tears and joy,” Wasundara, visibly tearing down as she was talking, added.
“Ever since the day she arrived, Nethmi has been treated with a series of receptions. There has been rewards and recognition from the sports ministry and extending to more. Prizes also have flowed in from various quarters. The people accepted her with both hands,” concluded her father, Nishantha Pushpakumara, the little-spoken breadwinner of the six-member family.