Olympian Gymnast Milka to continue training in Japan

Sri Lanka’s accomplished gymnast, Milka Gehani, returned to her motherland after a four-year absence to grace the recently concluded Gymnastic Championships, organized by the Sri Lanka Gymnastic Association, coinciding with the 47th National Sports Festival at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

Gehani, the sole Olympian gymnast from Sri Lanka, departed for Japan to continue her training, gearing up for the upcoming World Gymnastics Championships set to take place in Belgium from September to October.

Demonstrating her extraordinary talent, Milka Gehani secured the Girls Championship in the tournament, showcasing her prowess on home soil. Milka Gehani’s remarkable journey began at Piliyandala Somaweera Chandrasiri Primary School, where her love for gymnastics flourished. From her early passion for somersaults and cartwheels, she chose gymnastics as a means to stand out and pursue her unique aspirations. “As a kid, I didn’t like to compete in a crowded field. I wanted to do something nobody else was doing,” Gehani stated with unwavering determination.

Gehani’s dedication led her to international recognition in 2016 when she represented Sri Lanka at the Youth Commonwealth Games in Namibia. Her exceptional performances in vault, balance beam, floor exercise, and uneven bars earned her spots in all four finals, setting the stage for a promising career.

Despite challenges, including the absence of gymnastics training in her schools, Milka’s determination remained unshaken. Her talent continued to shine in international competitions like the 2017 Asian Junior Championships, the 2018 Youth Olympics, and the 2018 Asian Junior

Championships. Her efforts attracted the attention of Japanese coaches, leading to a scholarship from the International Olympic Committee to train in Japan at the age of 15.

With her eyes set on the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Milka Gehani’s journey reached a historic milestone at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Becoming the youngest flag bearer for Sri Lanka, she proudly represented her country in gymnastics, achieving her childhood dream. “I was overwhelmed with joy to become the first Sri Lankan to represent the country in gymnastics at the Olympics,” Gehani expressed with immense pride.

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