Anuga Karunanayaka
Anuga Karunanayaka, a 15-year-old Grade 10 student at Ananda College achieved a remarkable feat by winning gold in the +70kg Cadet Kumite category at the 11th Commonwealth Karate Championship in Durban, South Africa.
In a closely contested final against a South African opponent, Anuga showcased resilience and skill. The match ended in a 2-2 tie after two minutes of intense fighting. However, the victory was awarded to Anuga as he landed the first punch, a decisive body punch, early in the bout.
Despite trailing 1-2 when his opponent scored with a kick to the body, Anuga’s determination shone through as he levelled the scores with another body blow in the final 10 seconds, clinching the gold medal.
Born on March 1, 2009, Anuga practices the Shotokan style of karate and currently weighs 73kg. Inspired by his father, Senior DIG Dinesh Karunanayake, who holds a brown belt in karate, Anuga began his journey in the sport at a young age.
He earned his Black Belt 1st Dan in 2020, and his dedication to karate remains unwavering despite his interest in other sports like cricket and rugby. His mother, Chintha, a veteran badminton player and a leading boxing referee and his younger brother Hansana, who plays football, form a family deeply rooted in sports.
This year has been especially successful for Anuga, as he emerged victorious in several competitions. He secured first place at the Sri Lanka Schools Senior Karate All-Island Championship and the Western Province National Schools Championship and claimed second place at the All-Island National Schools Championship and the Open Karate Championship.
Earlier in 2024, he made his international debut at the South Asian Karate Championship, where he earned a bronze medal in the +70kg Kumite category after narrowly losing a match to a Nepal opponent.
The Commonwealth Karate Championship is a turning point in Anuga’s career, establishing him as a rising star on the international stage.
Sri Lanka’s delegation also performed commendably at the event in Durban, bringing home three gold medals, two silvers and nine bronzes. Among the other gold medallists were the Junior Team Kata trio of PGSS Gunawardana, SK Welagedara, and RR Dewage and Naveesha Kalani, who triumphed in the Junior Kumite -48kg category.
Silver medals were secured by RMTPS Senarathna in the Under-21 Female -50kg Kumite and Sakuntha Pabasara in the Junior Kumite -55kg category.
Anuga’s journey reflects not only his personal dedication but also the potential of Sri Lanka’s karate athletes to make a mark on the international stage.
