Vishan and Ranliya shine as Junior Squash champs
Vishan Ranatunga (left) and Ranliya Wood
Gateway College’s Vishan Ranatunga and Lindsay Girls’ School’s Ranliya Wood stole the spotlight at the Junior Open Squash Tournament, clinching the Under-19 Boys’ and Girls’ titles in the 11-day event that concluded at the Air Force Squash Complex in Ratmalana on Sunday.
Vishan proved his supremacy on the court, outplaying St. Joseph’s College’s Mohomed Rilwan in the final to emerge as champion. The battle for third place saw Royal College’s Prathap Sudharkaran edge past Nalanda College’s Tharul Dharmasena, completing the podium. In the girls’ division, Ranliya was in a league of her own, toppling Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya’s Akeesha Samaranayake to secure the Under-19 crown. Ladies’ College’s Adhithi Gunasekara claimed the bronze, while Miyuni Weerasinghe of Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya settled for fourth place.
The Under-17 category saw Royal College’s Kemitha Hapuarachchi rise to the occasion, defeating D.S. Senanayake College’s Manula Kareendra in the final. Ranuka Pilapitiya of Royal College bagged third place, while York International School’s Hirusha Hewage took fourth. Visakha Vidyalaya’s Dinuli Alahapperuma reigned supreme in the Girls’ Under-17 final, besting Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya’s Thedara Liyanage. Musaeus College’s Isali Siribaddana clinched third place, while Visakha’s Sevindhi Dassanayake rounded off the top four.
Gateway College continued its dominance in the Under-15 boys’ category as Manuth Dassanayake outclassed D.S. Senanayake College’s Linuka Silva in the final. Royal College’s Nevan Rubasinghe finished third, ahead of Gateway’s Yolen Withanage. Ifra Booso shone in the Girls’ Under-15 division, outplaying Gateway College’s Ruhansa Mendis to lift the trophy. Methuki Herath and Senuji Jayaratne, both from Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya, took third and fourth places, respectively.
In the Under-13 boys’ segment, S. Thomas’ College’s Akayne Konara held his nerve to edge past Louvre College’s Ameer Noordeen in the final. Ananda Shasthralaya’s Danuja Jayasinghe grabbed third place, while St. Joseph’s College’s Himanshu Silva finished fourth. Gateway’s Chanumi Thebuwana showcased her skills in the Girls’ Under-13 final, outlasting Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya’s Dinithma Mihely. Ladies’ College’s Nethanya Wickramasinghe and Musaeus College’s Thinaya Thilakaratne completed the top four.
Horizon International College’s Hirun Samaratunga displayed grit and determination to win the Under-11 boys’ category, leaving D.S. Senanayake College’s Kenula Hirusara in second place. Sumedha College’s Kenol Mayon Wickrama and Royal College’s Praveen Sudhakaran finished third and fourth.
Visakha Vidyalaya’s Mithali Silva reigned supreme in the Girls’ Under-11 event, overcoming Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya’s Thinalee Daswatte. Sirimavo’s Bhaghya Chandraratne took third, while Visakha’s Sanuki Liyanahetti finished fourth.
The Under-9 boys’ event saw Mahanama College’s Jenuka Perusinghe battle his way to victory, ahead of Royal College’s Yumeth Attanayake. Sumedha College’s Nethmal Sammanadapperuma and Royal’s Akashana Abeysinghe completed the rankings. Visakha Vidyalaya’s Siyathi Gunathilaka stamped her authority in the Under-9 girls’ division, getting the better of teammate Yalithi Perera in the final. Sumedha College’s Sanuli Godagampola secured third place, while Ladies’ College’s Swyree de Silva finished fourth.