Thidasa and Sandathi crowned Junior Singles champions
Thidassa Irushika clinched the U-19 Boys title
Thidasa Inrushika and Sandathi Dewmini were crowned the Under-19 Boys’ and Girls’ Singles champions at the 72nd National Badminton Championship, held at three top venues in Colombo yesterday. Organised and conducted by Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB), the country’s core domestic badminton event took place at the Mercantile Badminton Association (MBA) Indoor Courts, Otter Aquatic Club Courts and at the SLB Indoor Courts at Maitland Place across eight days before its culmination yesterday.
After a tough first set, which ended with scores of 21/18 in favour of Thidasa Irushika, the seasoned shuttler went on to easily overcome his opponent Shenuk Samararatne by 21/11 in the second set and record a straight win to earn the Under-19 Boys’ Singles crown.
Sandathi Dewmini crowned herself as the Under-19 Girls’ Singles champion after a tough outing against Dasithma Jayathilaka by 2-1. Facing a tough opponent in Dasithma, Sandathi had to put all her weight in the first set before losing it 23-21. But the seasoned campaigner made a remarkable recovery to pput all doubts aside and make a clean sweep of the two following set by 21/16 and 21/13 to clinch the crown.
The Under-19 Boys’ Double title was secured by Achinthya Imeshaque and Pasindu Peiris, who paired up to beat Rithira Abayagunawardana and Thenul Ganewatte 2-1. The eventual winner lost the first set 15/21 but bounced back to win the following set by 21/16 and 21/18 to seal the win. Dilini Ambalangodage and Ranumi Manage paired up to beat Pawani Illeperuma and Dasithma Jayathilaka and claim the Under-19 Girls’ Doubles title 2-1, after conceding the first set by 18/21. The winning pair dominated after the early loss to claim the remaining sets by 21/13 and 21/17 to earn the crown.
Suneth Perera was thrashed 21/8 in the first set by Keneth Aruggoda, but he staged a remarkable comeback to claim the following sets by 21/16 and 21/16 on his way to claim the Under-17 Boys’ Singles title. Vishwanie Wanniarachchi beat Nethmi Ratnayake in straight sets, with set scores of 21/18 and 21/11 to claim the Under-17 Girls Singles title.
Sanuda Ariyasinghe and Thisath Rupathunga were overpowered by 21/6 in the initial set, but the duo retaliated to overcome Nethil Thewmika and Maneth Theekshana by 21/16 and 21/18 in the following sets and win the Under-17 Boys’ Doubles title by 2-1. Isuri Attanayake and Sithumi de Silva had very little trouble to beat Vinuthi Ranasinghe and Yenara Wickramasinghe in straight sets, by 21/15 and 21/16 as they went on to clinch the Under-17 Girls’ Doubles title.
Chenaal Dewshan earned a double crown in the Under-15 age category when he accounted for the Boys’ 1, in a thrilling encounter where the scores were 12/21, 22/20 and 25/23 providing excitement and entertainment to spectators. He then paired up with Amavan to clinch the Doubles title, defeating Duvindu Edirisinghe and Pubudu Sathsara 2-1.
U-19 Girls Singles champion Sandathi Dewmini
Benuri Vipulaguna had to undergo a tough final against Thenuki de Silva before she secured the Under-15 Girls’ Singles title by 2-1. The first set was a thriller, which went down to the wire as Benuri won it by 23-21, until Thenuki stunned to equalize in the second set 21-14. But the eventual champion played a composed game in the final set to claim title victory by sealing it by 21-11. Fathima Amani and Yenuri Nethsara went on to clinch the Under-15 Girls’ Doubles title beating Sanudi Nevinya and Yenuli Liyanage 2-1 in a tough final, where the set scores were 21/11, 14/21 and 21/19.
Anuka Kadahettige emerged the Under-13 Boys’ Singles champion after overcoming Pravista Weerasinghe in straight sets with scores of 15/4 and 15/8. Hiruth Fernando and Thiruna Warnakulasooriya defeated Kaveeshwara Jayawardana and Poorwa Ranasinghe 2-1 to claim the Under-13 Boys’ Doubles title, after the game was deadlocked after two sets. After winning the first set close by 15/13, their opponents fought back to equalise after winnign the second set 15/9. They sealed the win by claiming the third and decisive set by 15/9. Rashmi Herath and Sanumi Methnara had a cakewalk win against Matheesha de Silva and Theruni Gunaratne as they recorded straight win on their way to claim the Under-13 Girls’ title with scores of 15/7 and 15/8.
In the Under-11 age category, Hansaka Rashminda beat Dulinda Fernando in straight set to claim the Boys’ Singles title while Ishma Ishak too enjoyed a similar win against Inuki Wijesekara on her way to win the Girls’ Singles title. The Doubles finals were absorbingly contested as Dulinda Fernando and Yenul Rathnayake defeated Rajai Atheeb and Hansaka Rashminda to win the Boys’ title by 2-1, while Sihathna Keerawella and Inuki Wijesekara beat Ishma Ishak and Savitha Ranaweera in similar fashion to win the Girls’ title.
The championships featured a wide range of events from Under-11 to Under-19 in the Junior category and Over-30 to Over-70 in the Senior category, as well as the Combined age category of 100+, 110+ and 120+. However, the Open events comprising Men’s and Women’s Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles, took the centre stage at this grand annual event.
A grand prize money of Rs.2 million for all events based on the number of entries were offered, in addition to trophies, medals and certificates to winners, runners-up and semi-finalists of each event of the tournament. Junior winners received appropriate gifts instead of prize money, according to the decision taken by the tournament organisers. The country’s elite domestic badminton event, conducted in accordance to BWF regulations, was sponsored by Li Ning, McFoil, 3M, GAC and Mobil.