Viren wins gold, Isuri, Sithumi secure bronze at Bangladesh Challenge
Isuri Attanayake and Sithumi de Silva claimed the Women's Doubles bronze
Viren Nettasinghe, the country’s top seed Men’s Singles shuttler, bagged the gold medal medal at the Yonex-Sunrise Bangladesh International Challenge 2024, while Women’s Doubles pair Isuri Attanayake and Sithumi de Silva settled in with the bronze medal at the Bangabandhu National Stadium Complex in Paltan, Dhaka yesterday.
Viren, 20, the youngest Sri Lankan shuttler to earn direct Olympic qualification, further stamped his class at international stage after overcoming the much fancied and tournament favourite Xiaodong Sheng of Canada. Viren, rated No.4 at Bangladesh Challenge, overpowered the tournament’s No.3 seed Sheng in straight sets, after a stiff battle.
The Canadian shuttler was tipped to win the Men’s Singles gold medal and proved to be a formidable opponent to Viren from the onset, but the gritty Sri Lankan showed great composure to secure the first set by 21/17. Sheng made a brief retaliation to break down Viren’s rhythm in the second set, but the Sri Lankan proved his efficiency by overpowering the Canadian 21/17 to seal the gold medal.
“This victory means everything to me and my country. It’s a testament to hard work, resilience, and the unwavering support of everyone who believed in me. Winning this title is just the beginning, I’m determined to keep pushing boundaries and my country proud on the global stage,” astounded by his victory, Viren said.
Sri Lanka's Men's Singles top seed Viren Nettasinghe with his gold medal won in Dhaka yesterday
Viren defeated Darrel Chew of Malaysia in straight set in the quarter-final, after claiming set wins of 21/18 and 21/13 to secure his berth in the semi-final. Earlier in the Round of 16, the Sri Lankan eased past Malaysian Wern Soon Chow in straight sets (21/8, 21/15) after overcoming Indian Pranauv Ram Nagalingam in the Round of 32 in straight sets (21/14, 21/15).
Isuri Attanayake and Sithumi de Silva had to settle in with the bronze medal in the Women’s Doubles after falling victim to Thailand pair Kodchaporn Chaichana and Pannawee Polyiam, who won the semi-final in straight sets. The Thai pair eased past the Sri Lankan duo, claiming both sets by 21/8 and 21/8 to advance further and claim the gold medal. Isuri and Sithumi thrashed Jesmin Akter and Sumi Akther of Bangladesh in straight sets (21/6, 21/7) after receiving a bye in the Round of 16.
However, Sri Lanka’s other Women’s Doubles pair, Varangama Jayawardana and Rashmi Mudalige, failed to progress beyond the quarter-final stage after they were beaten in straight sets by the top seed Ukraine pair Polina Buhrova and Yevheniia Kantemyr, by 21/16 and 21/13.
A total of 12 shuttlers turned out at the Yonex-Sunrise Bangladesh International Challenge 2024 representing Sri Lanka, out of them were seven boys and five girls, who competed under Men’s and Women’s Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles. A total of 228 shuttlers from 24 countries competed at the five-day tournament conducted by the Bangladesh Badminton Federation and sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation.