From Career to Championships, the Inspiring Journey of Supuna Warusawithana, Mercantile Triple Champion

In the fast-paced world of technology, where coding and algorithms dominate, excelling in sports might seem like an unaffordable luxury. However, for Supuna Warusawithana, a software engineer at 99x and the reigning Sri Lankan national table tennis champion, sports and career are not just compatible they are complementary forces that have propelled him toward fulfilling life achievements. 

Supuna’s journey in table tennis began long before he picked up a racket. Born into a family deeply passionate about sports, with a grandfather, uncle, and siblings who all competed at the national level, Supuna’s path seemed almost predestined. He has been playing table tennis for over 20 years, having participated in his first tournament at just six years old.

From his early days at Dharmasoka College in Ambalangoda to his time at Ananda College, Supuna’s talent shone brightly. His school years were marked by significant achievements, including representing Sri Lanka at the South Asian Junior Table Tennis Championships, where he earned medals and honed his leadership skills as team captain.

While Supuna’s prowess in table tennis was undeniable, his passion for technology was equally strong. His academic journey took him to the University of Moratuwa, where he not only excelled in his studies but also led the university’s table tennis team. Supuna has made impactful contributions as a Rotaractor at the University of Moratuwa, where he served as Co-Director of IT and led key CSR projects, merging his leadership skills with a dedication to community service. 

The challenge of balancing academic demands with the intense training required to compete at an international level would have been overwhelming for many, but Supuna embraced it as a worthy challenge. His ability to balance the forces was remarkable when he was selected to represent Sri Lanka at the World University Games in Italy in 2019, a milestone that coincided with his entry into the national team. Supuna has had the honor of representing Sri Lanka on the international stage in countries such as India, Pakistan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Italy, proudly bringing pride to the nation.

Supuna’s career as a software engineer at 99x has been equally remarkable. 99x is renowned for fostering employee passions and promoting a healthy work-life balance, providing strong support for Supuna’s sporting endeavors. The company excels in a concept called 'Individual Blue Oceans,' where every employee is encouraged to create a unique advantage—referred to as a ‘Blue Ocean.’ These ‘Blue Oceans’ can be related to one’s career, social contributions, or, as in Supuna’s case, excelling in sports. This approach not only nurtures individual growth but also makes 99x a place where employees truly love to work. This is reflected in 99x being named a 'Great Place to Work' for ten consecutive years in Sri Lanka and four times among Asia’s top 25 Great Places to Work.

Hasith Yaggahavita, CEO of 99x says, "At 99x, we believe that nurturing our employees' passions, whether in their professional careers or personal pursuits. Supuna Warusawithana's journey is a perfect example of how excellence in sports can complement and enhance one's career success. We are immensely proud to support Supuna in both his professional and sporting endeavors, and his achievements inspire not just our team, but the IT community as well."

99x is committed to nurturing employee passions. For instance, the company sponsored Supuna’s participation in an international mercantile tournament in Malaysia, where he proudly represented both his company and his country. Supuna says, “Table tennis has taught me discipline, focus, and resilience—qualities that are essential in both sports and software engineering. If you prove yourself in your passion, opportunities will flow. You can excel in your career by being a star in sports, especially when you have a great team like I do at 99x to support you. In the upcoming years I want to gain more industry experience while continuing to compete in the national and mercantile arenas.”

Chanaka Perera, President of the Mercantile Table Tennis Association (MTTA) of Sri Lanka, expressed the association’s pride in Supuna’s achievements, stating, “His outstanding victories in the 69th Mercantile table tennis tournament where he secured the Triple Championship in Open Men’s Singles, Open Men’s Doubles, and Open Mixed Doubles, was a historic moment, along with his triumph in the inaugural Merdeka Cup 2023, have set a new benchmark to the aspiring youngsters. Supuna is not only a phenomenal athlete but also a humble and talented individual who is truly an asset to our country and the corporate world.”

In a world that often urges us to focus on just one path, Supuna Warusawithana’s journey shows the strength of following your heart. Whether he’s on the court or at work, his story is about passion, hard work, and the belief that you can shine both in your career and in your sport.

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