Sri Lanka’s fitness movement in recent times celebrated a landmark achievement as Yohan Manoj Rathnayake secured a podium finish at the Hyrox Delhi event, bringing the island nation its first Hyrox flag on the international stage.
Rathnayake finished the Hyrox men’s 35–39 division in an impressive time of 1:21:26, earning third place and signalling Sri Lanka’s arrival in the growing global functional fitness community.
A fitness entrepreneur-turned-elite athlete, Rathnayake is best known as the Creator and Chairman of Functional High Intensity Interval Training (FHIIT), a chain of gyms and a fitness philosophy meant at making high-quality training accessible across Sri Lanka.
His business journey instigated in corporate sales and transformed into a full-time mission to professionalise fitness coaching at scale while making fitness an achievable lifestyle for everyday Sri Lankans.
Through FHIIT, Rathnayake has made programmes for working professionals, athletes, and youth, blending evidence-based training with community outreach to remove barriers to participation.
Rathnayake’s Delhi performance is the newest in a string of strong Hyrox showings across Asia in 2025, where he has consistently finished among the top competitors in his age group and represented Sri Lanka with distinction.
His race history across Mumbai, Singapore, and Delhi demonstrates both elite training and race craft in the sport’s unique mix of running and functional strength challenges.
Further than medals, Rathnayake’s public-facing ethos is clear: sport and structured fitness are tools to build resilience, opportunity, and well-being for Sri Lanka’s next generation.
On social media and in interviews he regularly connects his competitive goals to a broader purpose — using his platform to normalise regular exercise, educate on nutrition and recovery, and partner with brands and community initiatives that scale impact. His roles as a Hyrox pro athlete and collaborations with local partners have helped amplify message and reach.
Rathnayake said: “Every race is a reminder of God’s grace and the strength He provides when we dedicate our work to Him. My victories are not just for me; they are testimonies of faith, discipline, and community. I hope my journey encourages Sri Lankans from all walks of life to embrace healthier, more purposeful living.”
Looking ahead, Rathnayake plans to scale FHIIT’s outreach programmes as well as coach certification initiatives and youth camps, while continuing to compete on the Hyrox circuit to raise Sri Lanka’s profile in global functional fitness.
His dual role as entrepreneur and athlete positions him exclusively to convert sporting success into practical programmes that improve public health outcomes and build a broader culture of fitness across the country.
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