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Sri Lanka proudly welcomed young table tennis sensation Taavi Samaraweera, who returned to the country after securing a gold medal and rising to third place in the world junior rankings—a landmark moment for the nation’s sporting history.
Taavi arrived at Katunayake Airport on Sunday (16) to a grand reception from his schoolmates, well-wishers, and supporters who gathered to honour his exceptional achievements.
His gold medal victory came at the World Junior Table Tennis Ranking Tournament in Italy, where he delivered a standout performance on the global stage. Taavi continued his impressive run by winning two bronze medals at tournaments in Senec, Slovakia, and Szombathely, Hungary, including a remarkable win against the reigning world champion from Poland.
These international tournaments were held between November 3 and 15, 2025, marking one of the most successful competitive stretches in Taavi’s young career. With these wins, he has now collected 10 medals in 2025 alone: one gold, five silver, and four bronze.
A student of Grade 5 at S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, Taavi trains under the guidance of his parents, Hasitha and his mother, both respected and experienced table tennis coaches.
Looking ahead, Taavi has set his sights on becoming the youngest table tennis player from South Asia to compete in the 2028 Olympic Games, reflecting his ambition and extraordinary potential.
