Senura and Bimandee claim double crowns
The Organising Committee and TTASL officials with the winners (Standing from left); Akesh Dimantha (Boy’s U-15 runner-up), Senura Silva (Champion Boy’s U-15 and U-18), Chandupa Alahakoon (Boy’s U-18 runner-up), Bimandee Bandara (Champion Girls’ U-15 and U-18), Oneli Lehansa (Girls’ U-15 runner-up), Jithara Warnakulasuriya (Girls’ U-18 runner up) (Seated from left): Madushani Perera (TTASL, VP Tournament Committee), Srinath Wijayagunaratne (TTASL General Secretary), Yohan Deshappriya (Chief Guest), D.M.G.S. Kumara (Tournament Committee member), Prabath (Chief Referee), Reza Latiff (WPTTA Tournament Committee Chairman)
Senura Silva and Bimandee Bandara claimed double crowns at the All-Island Under-15 and Under-18 Ranking Table Tennis Tournament concluded at the S. Thomas’ College Indoor Stadium last week. Senuka and Bimandee bagged championships of Under-15 and Under-18 in Boy’s and Girls’ respectively, continuing their form as aspiring paddlers with international potential.
Senura of Ananda College beat Akesh Dimantha of Vidyartha College, Kandy in straight sets (13/10, 11/9, 11/6) to grab the Under-15 championship before overcoming Chandupa Alahakoon of Kingswood College, Kandy (5/11,15/13,11/6,3/11,11/7) in a thriller where all five sets were played, to claim the Under-18 title.
Bimandee, of Hillwood College, Kandy easily beat Oneli Lehansa of Musaeus College (11/3,11/3,11/5) in straight sets to claim the Under-15 title, before securing a cakewalk win over Jithara Warnakulasuriya of Ladies’ College (11/8,11/6,13/11) to clinch the Under-18 title, in another straight win.
In the Boy’s Under-15 segment Senura recorded an easy win against Janith Batugedara of Royal College (11/5,11/6/11/6) in the semi-final, while Akesh recorded an easy win against Dewmath Weerasena of Lyceum International School, Nugegoda (11/8,11/7,13/11) in the other semi-final.
In the quarter-finals Senura beat Hareen Nimdinu of Dharmasoka, Ambalangoda (11/5,11/5,11/5), Janith Batugedara beat Kakeru Hennayaka of Ananda College (11/8,11/7,11/7), Dewmath Weerasena beat Haseera Dinusara of Dharmasoka Ambalangoda (11/9,12/10,11/9) and Akesh Dimantha beat Vinuka Gunawardena of Royal College (11/8,11/8,11/6).
In the Girls’ Under-15 event, Bimandee beat Heshi Nirmi of Prajapathi MV, Ambalangoda (11/5,11/7,11/7) while Oneli Lehansa beat Nadithi Rehansa of Prajapathi MV, Ambalangoda (9/11,6/11,13/11,13/11,11/3) in a match that dragged on for five sets.
Double title winners Senura Silva and Bimandee Bandara with their trophies
In the quarter-finals Bimandee beat Shenali Mendis of Musaeus College (11/5,11/3,11/3), Heshi Nirmi beat Sandithie Jayasinghe of Musaeus College (11/9, 11/7, 14/16, 12/10), Nadithi Rehansa beat Minna Hassim of Ladies College (13/11,10/12,11/4,11/9) and Oneli Lehansa beat Lesanya Sethumdee of Dharmasoka Ambalangoda (11/3,11/7,11/8).
In the Boy’s Under-18 event Senura beat Thisas Ranchagoda of Royal College (11/4,11/13,11/7,11/3) while Chandupa Alahakoon beat Dhanushka Wijesinghe of Kingswood College (10/12,11/9,11/9,11/6) to reach teh final.
In the quarter-finals Senura beat Chanul Dulshen of Dharmasoka Ambalangoda (11/5,11/7,11/7), Thisas Ranchagoda of Royal beat Yasiru Maleesha of Vidyartha Kandy, Chandupa Alahkoon of Kingswood beat Hasitha Udara of Kingswood (13/11,6/11,12/10,12/10) and Dhanushka Wijesinghe beat Hiruna Warasuwithana of Ananda College.
In the Girls’ Under-18 category semi-finals Bimandee beat Maneesha Shalindi of Dharmasoka Ambalangoda (11/7,11/5, 11/7) while Jithara Warnakulasuriya beat M.H.K Kavindi of Dharmasoka Ambalangoda (6/11,11/7,7/11,13/11,11/8) to reach the final.
In the quarter-finals Bimandee beat Ayla Chitty of Ladies’ College, Maneesha Shalindi beat Heshi Nirmi of Pajapathi Ambalangoda (11/7,11/5,11/7), M.H.K. Kavindi beat Nadithi Rehansa of Prajapathi Ambalangoda (13/11,11/8,12/10,11/13,11/8) and Jithara Warnakulasuriya beat Sanduni Prabuddhika of Dharmasoka Ambalangoda.
The tournament was organised and conducted by the Western Province Table Tennis Association (WPTTA) as a separate tournament alongside the previously held the Open Men’s and Women’s Tournament in February. The junior segment was postponed due to the safety concerns. This tournament was approved by the Table Tennis Association of Sri Lanka (TTASL) and is an annual event listed in the TTASL tournament calendar.
Due to COVID-19, the TTASL and its affiliated clubs could not conduct tournaments during 2020. Still within the 2020 tournament calendar and being only the second ranking event held so far for the junior players, the Under-15 Boy’s segment attracted 71 players whilst 53 players competed in the Girls’ category. In the Under-18 Boy’s segment a lineup of 58 players and 44 players in the Girls’ category competed. All matches were keenly played by players who tried their best to outperform their opponents in the qualification stages to reach the main draw.
Yohan Deshappriya, a former national player graced the awards ceremony as the chief guest and distributed all winners with certificates and trophies.