Bronze for Methuli De Vaas Gunasekare: Holy Family Convent Karateka Shines at International Championship in Kuala Lumpur
AI-generated illustration. This is not a photograph of Methuli De Vaas Gunasekare or the championship.
Sri Lankan karate has a new school-sport achievement to celebrate. Methuli De Vaas Gunasekare of Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya, won a bronze medal in Team Kumite at the 11th International Open Karate Championship 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, according to a congratulatory announcement from her school.
Methuli competed as a member of the Sri Lanka School Karate Team. The championship, also listed as the KL Mayor’s Cup, took place from 30 October to 1 November 2026 at Titiwangsa Indoor Stadium.
An international stage in Kuala Lumpur
The 11th International Open Karate Championship brought competitors to Kuala Lumpur for several days of competition, with international teams taking part alongside Malaysian clubs — event coverage this year has included teams from Indonesia and Sri Lanka, among others. The championship schedule and venue are listed by KaratePlan and SportsBracket.
Karate competitions include kata and kumite. Kata is a sequence of choreographed techniques performed individually; kumite is sparring between competitors. In Team Kumite, athletes compete as part of a team in the sparring event.
AI-generated concept illustration. It does not depict Methuli or the event.
School celebrates Methuli’s achievement
Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya shared its congratulations following the competition, recognising Methuli’s contribution as a member of the Sri Lanka School Karate Team.
The school wrote: “We are immensely proud of you for this remarkable achievement as a member of the Sri Lanka School Karate Team. Your dedication, perseverance, and fighting spirit have brought great honour to our school and our motherland.”
Representing Sri Lanka at an international championship is a significant milestone for a school athlete. Methuli’s bronze medal is a moment of pride for her school community, and it comes in a strong stretch for Sri Lankan school sport internationally — a year that has already seen Sri Lankan school teams and young athletes succeed abroad, from basketball courts to wushu arenas.
The specific medal result is reported by Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya. The available championship listings confirm the event dates and venue, but do not independently show Methuli’s result. No further match details or category information have been added here.
Congratulations to Methuli
The school closed its message with a fitting send-off: “Keep shining, Methuli! We wish you continued success!”
eLanka congratulates Methuli, her family, Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya and the Sri Lanka School Karate Team on this achievement. Readers can find more Sri Lankan community stories at eLanka.
Sources: Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya announcement shared by eLanka · KaratePlan event listing · SportsBracket event listing
