Badminton: Buwaneka, Thilini win Singles crowns at NCP Open

Two of Sri Lanka’s most promising shuttlers, Buwaneka Goonethilleka and Thilini Hendahewa emerged Singles champions while Sachin Dias and Dilmi Dias made highlights at the North Central Province (NCP) Open Badminton Tournament held in Anuradhapura.

Goonethilleka defeated top seeded Ranthushka Karunathilake in straight sets (21-14, 21-17) to clinch the title in style. 

Goonathilaka, seeded second at the NCP Open, reached the final following a thrilling three-setter (19-21, 21-7, 21-14) against Madhuka Dulanjana, while Karunathilake, last year’s national Singles finalist, defeated Lochana Oshan De Silva in the semi-final (21-19, 21-12).

The women’s final saw the battle between the current and former national champions. 

Six-time national title holder and the defending champion, Hendahewa beat three-time national champion, Achini Rathnasiri in the final 21-15, 21-18 to walk away with the Singles title.

Hendahewa reached the final by defeating Kavindika Binari de Silva quite easily (21-12, 21-9) while Achini Rathnasiri outplayed second seeded Dilmi Dias 21-15, 21-14 to book the berth in the final. 

In the Men’s Doubles final, Sachin Dias and Goonethilleka, ranked 144th in the world,  beat Hasitha Chanaka and R.S. Kasun 21-16, 21-16 while Achini and Upuli Weerasinghe defeated Kavindika de Silva and Dilmi Dias (21-12, 21-12) to lift the Women’s Doubles title.  

The Mixed Doubles final saw Sachin and Hendahewa, ranked 177th in the world, winning against Madhuka Dulanjana and Dilmi Dias with a margin of 21-8, 21-15.

Earlier, Dilmi Dias went on to win the Girls’ Under-19 Singles title as well as the Doubles final in the same age class, partnered by Anurangi Masakorala.

Over 1000 shuttlers were in action during the six-day event which took place at the Anuradhapura Urban Council courts and the Mike Cooke Indoor Badminton Stadium under nine age groups.

North Central Province Badminton Association organised the event on a majestic scale under the supervision of Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB). 

Parakrama Basnayake, the Vice President of SLB, graced the inauguration ceremony as the chief guest.

RESULTS

Men's Singles: Buwaneka Goonethilleka beat Ranthushka Karunathilake (21-17, 21-11)

Women's Singles: Thilini Hendahewa beat Achini Rathnasiri (21-15, 21-18)

Men's Doubles: Sachin Dias/Buwaneka Goonethilleka beat Hasitha Chanaka/R.S. Kasun (21-16, 21-16)

Women's Doubles: Achini Rathnasiri/Upuli Weerasinghe beat Kavindika Binari de Silva/Dilmi Dias (21-12, 21-12)   

Mixed Doubles: Sachin Dias/Thilini Hendahewa beat Madhuka Dulanjana/Dilmi Dias (21-8, 21-15)  

Boys’ Singles Under-11: Wedaka Gomes beat Samiru HansakaRanasinghe (15-11, 15-9)  

Girls Singles Under-11: Nethmi Amaya Ratnayake beat Vishwanie Wanniarachchi (15-5, 15-8)

Boys’ Singles Unde-13: Hiruka Sahanmith beat Thidasa Irushika Weragoda (15-10, 11-15, 15-10)

Girls’ Singles Under-13: Sithuki Onadee Gunawardana beat Chiranya Jayawardana (15-9, 15-12) 

Boys’ Doubles Under-13: Pamith Bandara Attanayake/Thidasa Irushika Weragoda beat Rithira Sendil Abayagunawardana/Thenul Ransaja Ganewatta (15-13, 10-15, 15-12) 

Girls’ Doubles Under-13: Sithuki Onadee Gunawardana/Komuthu Kethnara Kumarapperuma beat Sandhathi Dewmini HewaGallage/Chiranya Jayawardana (21-20, 11-15, 15-12)

Boys’ Singles Under-15: Sanjana Devasurendra beat Sineth Manthuka Rupathunga (17-21, 21-16, 22-20)

Girls’ Singles Under-15: Rashmi Bhagya Mudalige beat Isuri de Alwis (22-20, 22-20)

Boys’ Doubles Under-15: Iman Delpachithra/K.B.S. Kaushalya beat Luwin Kodippili/Vidush Ravishma Sumanadasa (21-16, 21-16)

Girls’ Doubles Under-15: Maneesha Abhimani Jayawardhana/Samindi Onel Kalanasooriya beat Irushi Amandi Gallage/Nethanga Vindini (21-10, 21-9)

Boys’Singles Under-17: Dumindu Abeywickrama beat Savinaka Nethmin Weerasekara (21-9, 21-11)

Girls’ Singles Under-17: Vidara Suhasni Vidanage beat Chamudi Abeywickrama (17-21, 21-11, 21-3)

Boys’ Doubles Under-17: Madhubhanu Kariyawasam/Oshamika Karunarathna beat Dumindu Abeywickrama/Manura de Alwis (21-17, 11-21, 23-21)

Girls’ Doubles Under-17: Suwani Muthumali/Vidara Suhasni Vidanage beat Kivini Sulara Jayasooriya/Thisuni Midara Liyanarachchi (21-16, 21-16) 

Boys’ Singles Under-19: Thulith Thewmika Palliyaguru beat Nadun Punchihewa (21-16, 19-21, 21-12)  

Girls’ Singles Under-19: Dilmi Dias beat Jananuwani Amanda (21-9, 21-9)

Boys’ Doubles Under-19: Chamath Kavinda Dias/Chirath Santhush Illeperumachchi beat Lochana Oshan de Silva/Thulith Thewmika Palliyaguru (12-21, 21-16, 24-22) 

Girls’ Doubles Under-19: Dilmi Dias/Anurangi Hansamali Masakorala beat Jananuwani Amanda/Chathuli Ishara (21-11, 21-11) 

Men’s Singles Over-35: Kodithuwakku Hemantha (WO) 

Men’s Singles Over-40: Upendra Jayawardena beat Nihan Ranasinghe (21-13, 21-8)  

Men’s Doubles Over-40: Subash Janaka/Duminda Jayakody beat Upendra Jayawardena/Sahan Pradeep (21-14, 21-15) 

Men’s Singles Over-50: Clarence Homer beat Darshana Senarathna (retired) 

Men’s Doubles Over-50: Clarence Homer/Darshana Senarathna beat Mangala Gamage/Kamal Gamlath (21-12, 21-10) 

Men’s Singles Over-55: Janath Rohan Fernando beat Jayath Wickramasinghe (21-15, 21-16) 

Men’s Singles Over-60: Louie Karunarathna beat Parakrama Basnayake (21-15, 21-5)

Men’s Doubles Over-60: Rohan de Silva/Louie Karunaratne beat Parakrama Basnayake/W.M. Ariyasena (21-7, 21-17)