Badminton: Buwaneka, Rasindu reach HUNDRED Series 2025 Men’s Singles pre-quarters

Sri Lanka’s Buwaneka Goonethilleka and Rasindu Hendahewa advanced to the Round of 16 of the Men’s Singles in the ongoing HUNDRED Sri Lanka International Series 2025, which is underway at the St. Joseph’s College Indoor Complex in Darley Road, Colombo.

Buwaneka, currently ranked 1032 in the world, will meet Malaysia’s Darrell Chew, while Rasindu will meet Indian Ginpaul Sonna in the pre-quarter-final clash on the third day of the six-day international competition, sanctioned by Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Badminton Asia (BA).

On Wednesday (5), Buwaneka outsmarted Henrikho Kho of Indonesia in straight sets, as the Sri Lankan regained his momentum after a long lapse.

Unseeded Buwaneka proved his competence by handing Kho, seeded No.8 in the competition and 177 in the world, 21/7 and 21/15 to record a comprehensive victory on his way to reach the next level.

His opponent in the pre-quarter-final, Chew, recorded a similar win, but was given a stiff competition by Indian Shantanu Sharma, before going down by 21/9 and 22/20.

Following Buwaneka’s win Rasindu, seeded sixth, recorded a commanding win against Nicholas Raj of India, who is presently ranked 368 in the world.

The world 170th ranked Sri Lankan, dominated from the beginning, before experiencing a brief counterattack, yet recorded a straight win by 21/19 and 21/13 in the Round of 32 clash.

On Tuesday (4), Rasindu claimed a yet another commanding win against Atharva Joshi of India in straight sets (21/11, 21/18) in the Round of 64. 

Earlier, Buwaneka indicated his intention of reaching a podium finish, after defeating Siddhartha Mishra of India 2-1 in the Round of 64.

Buwaneka claimed the first set 21/15, but Mishra recovered to level the game after winning the second set 21/14, but the Sri Lankan put matters beyond doubt with a resounding 21/9 win in the third set to move forward.

One of Sri Lanka’s hopefuls, Dumindu Abeywickrama, seeded third in the tournament, lost to Eu Cong Low of Malaysia 2-1 in the Men’s Singles Round of 32 clash, which dragged beyond 70 minutes.

Dumindu, BWF ranked 147, claimed the first set, but the world 531 ranked unseeded Low, made a remarkable comeback to win the remaining two sets by 21/13 and 21/15.

Dumindu recorded a straight win against India’s Arya Bhivpathaki, but after a close battle where the Sri Lankan claimed set wins of 21/19 and 21/19.

Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB) hosts nearly 260 players from 16 nations, including Sri Lanka, at the six-day competition which culminates on March 8.

A total prize money of USD 5,000 is on offer at the HUNDRED Sri Lanka International Series 2025 which is sponsored by HUNDRED, LiNing, Mobil, McFoil and 3M.