Paris: Sri Lanka’s badminton prodigy Ranithma Liyanage continued to make her mark on the international stage with an impressive showing at the BWF World Championships 2025, where she advanced to the Round of 32 in the Women’s Singles category.
The prestigious World Championships, held from August 25–31 at the state-of-the-art Adidas Arena in Paris, France, is regarded as the sport’s most coveted event outside the Olympic Games. This year’s edition has brought together more than 350 of the world’s best players from 54 nations, all vying for the ultimate crown in badminton.
In the opening round (R64), Ranithma (WR 111) faced Ireland’s experienced campaigner Rachael Darragh. Despite dropping the first game 19-21, the 18-year-old Sri Lankan fought back in style to claim the second game 21-11. She was firmly in control of the decider, leading 11-3, when Darragh was forced to retire, handing Ranithma a memorable victory after 42 minutes of play.
Her campaign came to an end in the Round of 32, where she met South Korea’s Sim Yu Jin, the world No. 12. Ranithma displayed grit and determination but eventually went down in straight games, 14-21, 16-21, in a 30-minute contest against the vastly more experienced opponent.
Although her journey ended earlier than hoped, Ranithma’s progression into the Round of 32 in her debut World Championships main draw is a significant milestone for Sri Lankan badminton.
Coming fresh off her title-winning run at the YONEX All England Junior Badminton Championships 2025, her performance in Paris underscores her growing maturity and promise on the world stage.
Importantly, Ranithma’s participation at the BWF World Championships was sponsored by McLarens Holdings, whose continued support has enabled her to compete in elite international tournaments and raise Sri Lanka’s flag on the global badminton stage.
Ranithma’s achievements continue to inspire the next generation of Sri Lankan shuttlers, while also highlighting the island nation’s emergence in world badminton.
