Story of the Olympian
Anuruddha Rathnayake is a Sri Lankan Olympian and professional boxer who gained recognition for his performance in the ring. Born on August 17, 1975, he represented Sri Lanka in the men’s flyweight (51 kg) category in international competitions. Rathnayake’s most notable achievement came when he qualified for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, making him the only Sri Lankan boxer to qualify for those games.
Despite his dedication and impressive qualification, his Olympic journey ended in the first round, where he lost to Robenílson Vieira de Jesus from Brazil. Prior to his Olympic qualification, Rathnayake had built a reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s top boxers, participating in numerous international tournaments and championships throughout Asia and beyond.
In addition to his Olympic appearance, Rathnayake has had a significant impact on Sri Lankan boxing, serving as a mentor and inspiration for younger athletes. His Olympic debut marked a key moment in his career and for Sri Lankan boxing on the global stage.
