Niluka smashes for Gold at Uganda International C’ships

130

Celebrated young Sri Lankan shuttler, NilukaKarunaratne has yet again made his stance in the International ring as he clinched the Men’s Single title at the Uganda International Badminton Championship, which was concluded today (06).

This will also be included in the country’s badminton records as the first occasion where a Sri Lankan had sealed a gold medal at the Uganda International BadmintonC’ships!

Karunaratne defeated Pedro Martinez of Portugal by 21-17 and 21-12, in an encounter which lasted 40 minutes. Pedro Martinez was ranked 68th in Men’s world rankings and the aggressive Sri Lankan was holding the 69th position on the list of world’s finest (Mens) shuttlers.

In the Final battle for the gold medal and Men’s Single title, Karunaratne met Italy’s WisnuHaryo Putra, who had cleared his way towards the final beating Iran’s Mohammed Kheradmandi in the Semi Final matchand Australia’s Michael Landsteiner (tipped to be # 1 in the tournament) in preliminary rounds. Michael Landsteiner is currently ranked at 54 while WisnuHaryo Putra remains at 134 in World rankings. 

However, Putra was not successful in placing his tactics against Karunaratne’s much advanced magic formulae that slapped Putra with a straight two setter 21-11 and 21-18.   With a 2-0 victory at the Uganda International Championships, Karunaratne is tipped to climb up the world rankings, ahead of the London 2012. 

NilukaKarunaratne is a strong medal prospect for the island nation at the forthcoming London 2012 Olympics. 

Jeanine Cicognini from Switzerland was the women’s singles Championat the event worked off at the Sharing Youth Centre in Kampala.