Udaya helps put Kandy on TT map
View(s):By Aubrey Kuruppu
The main feature of the Junior Nationals, held last weekend at the Jagath Rajapakse International Stadium, was the dominance of
Upcoming Player , Ridmi Karandanaarachchi of Mahamaya College, Kandy & Mostoutstanding Player , Udaya Ranasinghe of Vidyartha College, Kandy with Stiga Challenge Trophies.
Kandy’s Junior Table-Tennis players.
One player stood out from the rest: fifteen-year-old Udaya Ranasinghe, who had a triple, winning the Under 15 and Under 18 singles events as well as the Under 18 doubles, partnering with fellow Vidyartha player Krishan Wickremaratne.
Ranasinghe, an intelligent, attacking player relied on his allround game. He used his fast top spin to good effect and his placement was superb. His counter top spin, too, was very good.
He had an easy 11-9, 14-12, 11-8 win over Prasad de Silva in the Under 18 final. In the U15 event, Ranasinghe disposed of Nuwantha Niroshana with a fair amount of ease after a close opening set (14-12, 11-9, 11-9)
It was an all Dharmasoka battle in the final of the girls Under 18 event. The loser, Erandi Warusavithara, won the first two sets 11-2, 11-8 but had to taste defeat at the hands of Nuwani Navodya, who won the next three sets 11-8, 11-1, 11-8. Erandi was the runner up last year at both the Senior and Junior Nationals.
Navodaya, an attacking left-hander, is at an advantage as she practices against right-handers. Some juniors are rather one dimensional in their play and cannot adjust to a left-hander. Navodya capitalized on that.
The winners with the officials of TTASL
Warusavithara uses a flat kill to good effect. Her main weapon is her tricky service. She revels in long rallies away from the table.
Navodya has just returned to table tennis after studying for her exams. Her presence is certainly an advantage to the national team.
Mahamaya’s Ridmi Kandanarachchi won the award for the best upcoming player. She beat Chamatkara Fernando of Girls High School, Mt. Lavinia in a four setter to win the Under 15 event.
She had mixed fortunes however when partnering with Udaya Ranasinghe in the mixed event. They lost to Prasad de Silva (Vidyaratha) and Buddepani Rajaguru (Maliyadeva Girls’ School).
A talented junior, Lithmina Mahanama (Wesley) won the first two sets in the Under 12 semifinal against the more fancied Chathura Gunasekera, who took the next three. Chathura proceeded to take apart Rajan Tennakoon in the final in straight sets (11-6, 11-9, 11-3)
Navodya partnered by Umaya Taraki beat a good combination of Ruvini Kannangara and Kismati Ranawaka in the doubles final.
Final Results
Under 10 Girl’s Singles : Dilmi Hirushika Kolombage of Prajapathi BMV, Ambalangoda beat Lavangi Rajapaksha of Maliyadeva BMV, Kurunegala 11/07, 11/09,11/07
Under 10 Boy’s Singles : Dewmith Weerasena of Lyceum International School, Nugegoda beat Hiruna Warusavithana of Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda 11/03, 11/05,11/07
Under 12 Girl’s Singles : Hansani Piyumila of Anula Vidyalaya,Nugegoda beat Nathasha Sandavini of Maliyadeva BMV, Kurunegala 11/06, 11/02, 06/11,11/04
Under 12 Boy’s Singles : Chathura Gunasekara of Ceylinco Sussex College, Kandy beat P D U Thennakoon of Dharmaraja College, Kandy 11/06, 11/09,11/03
Under 15 Girl’s Singles : Ridhmi Karadanaarachchi of Mahamaya College, Kandy beat Chamathsara Fernando of Girls High School, Mt Lavinia 11/07, 07/11,13/11,12/10
Under 15 Boy’s Singles : Udaya Ranasinghe of Vidyartha College, Kandy beat Nuwantha Niroshana of Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda 14/12, 11/09, 11/09
Under 18 Girl’s Singles : Nuwani Navodya of Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda beat Erandi Warusavithana of Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda 02/11, 08/11,11/08,11/01,11/08
Under 18 Boy’s Singles : Udaya Ranasinghe of Vidyartha College, Kandy beat Prasad J de Silva of Vidyartha College, Kandy 11/09, 14/12, 11/08
Under 18 Girl’s Doubles : Nuwani Navodya / Umaya Tharakie of Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda beat Kithmadi Ranawaka of Visakha Vidyalaya,Colombo and RuvinI Kannangara of Musaeus College, Colombo 11/07, 11/03, 08/11, 11/09
Under 18 Boy’s Doubles : Udaya Ranasinghe / Krishan Wickkramarathne of Vidyartha College, Kandy beat Chinthaka Ekanayaka / Thilina Wijesiri of Vidyartha College, Kandy 15/17 , 15/13, 11/06, 11/05
Under 18 Mixed Doubles: Prasad J de Silva of Vidyartha College, Kandy / Buddeepani Rajaguru of Maliyadeva BMV, Kurunegala beat Udaya Ranasinghe of Vidyartha College, Kandy / Ridhmi Karadanaarachchi of Mahamaya College, Kandy 07/11, 11/09, 06/11,13/11, 12/10
Most outstanding Players of the Tournament : Udaya Ranasinghe of Vidyartha College, Kandy
Upcoming Player of the Tournament – Ridhmi Karadanaarachchi of Mahamaya College, Kandy
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