After dazzling performances, Viren Nettasinghe and Ranithma Liyanage Defend National Badminton Titles

The much-awaited battle where Sri Lanka’s premier shuttlers were in the fray for glory, the 73rd National Badminton Championships, was concluded at S. Thomas’ College Indoor Sports Complex in Mount Lavinia recently. After dominating performances, Viren Nettasinghe (Men’s Singles) and Ranithma Liyanage (Women’s Singles) successfully defended their open titles. Meanwhile, Sanuda Ariyasinghe – Thisath Rupathunga (Men’s Doubles), Thulith Palliyaguru – Panchali Adhikari (Mixed Doubles) and Varangana Jayawardena – Rashmi Mudalige (Women’s Doubles) clinched the other national open titles. This extravagant and premier badminton event of the island was organised by Sri Lanka Badminton.

Mens Open Singles

Sri Lanka’s badminton prodigy, Neththisinghe, who is the country’s youngest Olympic shuttler, easily clinched the men’s single title after a commanding performance during the entire tournament. Initially, Viren Neththisinghe and Rasindu Hendahewa secured their places in the final by beating Thilina Rajakaruna and Thisada Irushika in the semifinals. Rasindu played some exquisite badminton at the beginning, but the former Peterite Viren came back strong with his experience to win the first set by 21 – 10 points. The second set saw intensified competitiveness, but Rasindu failed to give a proper challenge as Neththisinghe downed him by 21 – 14 points to bag a two-straight-set victory along with defending the coveted championship. Further, the champion player Neththisinghe overcame Savinaka Weerasekara by 21 – 07 and 21 – 08 points in the quarterfinals.

Semifinal 1, Rasindu Hendahewa beat Thisada Irushika 21 – 11, 21 – 15

Semifinal 2, Viren Neththisinghe beat Thilina Rajakaruna  21 – 12, 21 – 06

Final, Viren Neththisinghe beat Rasindu Hendahewa 21 – 10, 21 – 14

Womens Open Singles

In the first women’s open semifinals, 19-year-old Rashmi Bhagya Mudalige of Gateway College, Colombo, easily defeated Sithuli Sathnadee Ranasinghe of Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda, by 21 – 10 and  21 – 07 points. In the other semifinal, Sri Lanka’s top-seeded women’s shuttler Ranithma Thanudi Liyanage of Christ Church Baddegama received a tough challenge from Panchali Janodya Adhikari of Mahamaya Girls’ School, Kandy. Though Ranithma overwhelmed her opponent in the first set by 21 – 08 points, the Kandyan girl stunned everyone with a groundbreaking 21 – 19 victory in the second set. In the crucial third set, the experienced Ranithma recovered from her early mistakes and posted a 21 – 11 victory to bag the game with a 02 – 01 set victory.

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During the women’s singles final, Ranithma took a massive start by beating her opponent Rashmi by 21 – 12 points. In the second set Rashmi showcased a much-improved performance, and the set was turned into a close tussle. But yet again Ranithma used all of her experience to stand tall on crucial junctures of the game to post a 21 – 18 victory in the second and final set. With this remarkable victory, Ranithma has once again proven her prowess on the badminton court with another stellar performance to bag another national title. The champion, Ranithma, earned her ticket to the semifinal by beating Nethmi Amaya Ratnayake by 21 – 06 and 21 – 15 points in the quarterfinals.

Semifinal 1, Rashmi Bhagya Mudalige beat Sithuli Sathnadee Ranasinghe 21 – 10, 21 – 07

Semifinal 2, Ranithma Thanudi Liyanage beat Panchali Adhikari  21 – 08, 19 – 21, 21 – 11

Final, Ranithma Liyanage beat Rashmi Bhagya Mudalige 21 – 12, 21 – 18

Men’s Doubles

During the men’s doubles final, Sanuda Ariyasinghe and Thisath Rupathunga shocked the defending champions, Oshamika Karunaratne and Thulith Palliyaguru, in a thrilling three-set blockbuster game. The winners easily won the first set by 21 – 15 points. But tragically they lost the second set after a nail-biting fight with 18 – 21 points. But the pair quickly recovered to post a crucial 21 – 15 win in the third and final set to clinch the national title.

Semifinal 1, Sanuda Ariyasinghe & Thisath Rupathunga beat Madhuka Dulanjana & Sineth Manthuka Rupathunga 21 – 16, 21 – 18

Semifinal 2, Oshamika Karunaratne & Thulith Palliyaguru beat Lochana Oshan De Silva & Davin Jason Homer 14 – 21, 21 – 10, 21 – 15

Final, Sanuda Ariyasinghe & Thisath Rupathunga beat Oshamika Karunaratne & Thulith Palliyaguru 21 – 15, 18 – 21, 21 – 15

Women’s Doubles

Though Varangana Jayawardena and Rashmi Mudalige had their hearts in their mouths in the women’s doubles semifinal against Hasini Nusaka & Hasara Chathumharie Wijeratne, they did well to hold their nerves to secure their position in the final. There, Varangana Jayawardena and Rashmi Mudalige found their rhythm and clinched the championship in a couple of straight sets by beating Ranumi Manage and Dilni Ambalangodage.

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Semifinal 1 Varangana Jayawardena & Rashmi Mudalige beat Hasini Nusaka & Hasara Chathumharie Wijeratne 15 – 21, 21 – 13, 21 – 07

Semifinal 2 Ranumi Suhasnie Manage & Dilni Thenuka Ambalangodage beat Anurangi Hansamali Masakorala & Praveena Theshani Wijesundara 21 – 17, 21 – 17

Final Varangana Jayawardena & Rashmi Mudalige beat Ranumi Suhasnie Manage and Dilni Thenuka Ambalangodage 21 – 13, 21 – 18

Mixed Doubles

Further, Thulith Thewmika Palliyaguru and Panchali Adhikari walked into the mixed doubles finals after a hard-fought 02 – 01 victory against Thenul Ransaja Ganewatte and Dulanya Livera Karunaratne. The other final spot went to Aashinsa Herath and Rashmi Mudalige, who easily defeated Achinthya Imeshaque and Praveena Theshani Wijesundara at the second semi-final.

After a see-saw battle, top shuttlers Thulith Palliyaguru and Panchali Adhikari clinched the title after edging out Aashinsa Herath and Rashmi Mudalige with a close 02 – 01 set victory.

Semifinal 1 Thulith Palliyaguru & Panchali Adhikari beat Thenul Ganewatte and Dulanya Livera 20 – 22, 21 – 14, 21 – 14

Semifinal 2 Aashinsa Herath and Rashmi Mudalige beat Achinthya Imeshaque and Praveena Theshani Wijesundara  21 – 10, 21 – 10

Final Thulith Palliyaguru & Panchali Adhikari beat Aashinsa Herath and Rashmi Mudalige 12 – 21, 21 – 18, 21 – 15

The eight-day tournament featured a record-breaking number of 1525 shuttlers, depicting the true potential of the sport on the island and the flair and spirit of the local shuttlers. Most importantly, this elite and glamorous badminton tournament would not have been possible without the valuable sponsorships of McFoil, Mobil, Li Ning, 3M and GAC.