Sri Lankan beach volleyball has etched its name into the history books with a landmark performance at the CAVA Beach Volleyball Championship (Bhutan). In a stunning display of athleticism and composure, the Sri Lankan men’s pair of Sandun Madusanka Fernando and Dileepa Chamika Senaratne clinched the gold medal, defeating their Indian rivals in straight sets to secure the nation’s first-ever title at the event.
The three-day championship concluded at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan, amidst high-stakes competition featuring eleven men’s and ten women’s pairs from seven nations across the region.
The championship finale saw the Sri Lankan duo, representing the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment-funded federation, face off against a formidable Indian Team 1 composed of Bharat Sonu and Rajesh Vinayagamoorthy. In a match characterized by intense rallies and high pressure, Fernando and Senaratne remained unshaken.
Demonstrating exceptional teamwork and cohesion in both attack and defense, the Sri Lankan pair mastered the conditions to secure a straight-sets victory (21-18, 21-14). The win was not just a personal triumph for the athletes but a significant regional victory, overcoming the subcontinent giants without dropping a single set throughout the entire campaign.
The path to the gold medal was paved with dominance. The Sri Lankan pair cruised through the tournament in Thimphu, winning all four of their matches without losing a set. Their journey began with a pool match against Uzbekistan’s Qaxxarov and Abatov. While the first set was a comfortable 21-15 win, the Sri Lankans faced a stern test in the second. In a see-saw battle that tested their nerves, Dilipa and Madushanka held firm to clinch the set 21-19. The momentum continued into the Quarterfinals, where they dismantled the Bangladeshi duo of Rakesh Shaikat and Titash Ahmed with a decisive 21-16, 21-06 victory.
Setting up a semifinal clash against India’s Udaya Suriyan Poonthamizhan and Abithan Senthilkumar, the Sri Lankans delivered a hammering performance, winning 21-13, 21-12 to book their place in the final. Meanwhile, the Indian finalists reached the gold medal match by defeating the home favorites, Bhutan’s Jurme Rangdal and Tshering Dorji, in the semifinals.
The tournament was a celebration of beach volleyball growth in the region. While Sri Lanka took the top honors, India dominated the remainder of the men’s podium. Udaya Suriyan Poonthamizhan and Abithan Senthilkumar settled for bronze after defeating Bhutan’s Jurme Rangdal and Tshering Dorji in the playoff (21-14, 21-16).
For the host nation, Bhutan, the performance of Rangdal and Dorji was a source of immense pride. Their run to the semifinals thrilled the home fans in Thimphu, even if they narrowly missed out on a podium finish.
Women’s Results
Unluckily Sri Lanka didn’t feature in the women’s competition where India emerged as the dominant force in their absence. Deepika Kandasamy and Pavithra Sudalaikasi were crowned champions after winning all five of their matches. They secured gold with a hard-fought 02-01 (17-21, 21-14, 15-5) victory over Nepal’s Bhavana Dangi and Sunita Rai in the final. The Nepali pair settled for silver, while India’s Revathy Velayoudame and Swetha Vairakannu took bronze after an epic three-set battle against Nepal’s Kamala Pun and Kopila Rana.
This victory marks a pivotal moment for Sri Lankan volleyball. Backed by the FIVB Volleyball Empowerment program, the team’s success in Thimphu signals a rising standard in the sport within the country. As Dilipa and Madushanka return home as Central Asian zonal gold medalists, they bring with them not just a trophy, but the belief that Sri Lanka can compete and conquer at the highest levels of the regional game.
Results of the knock-out stage
Men’s Quarterfinals
Jurme Rangdal and Tshering Dorji (Bhutan) defeated Qaxxarov and Abatov (Uzbek) 02-01 (14-21 (22-20, 15-09)
Barath and Rajesh (India) defeated Sany and Ratul (Bangladesh) 02-00 (21-16, 21-14)
Udaya and Abithan (India) defeated Saran and Jhaman (Nepal) 02-00 (21-14, 21-14)
Dileepa Senarathna and Sadun Madusanka defeated Rakesh and Titash (Bangladesh) 02-00 (21-16, 21-06)
Men’s Semifinals
Udaya Suriyan Poonthamizhan & Abithan Senthilkumar India 2-0, 21-13,21-12
Barath Rajesh India Jurme / Dorji Bhu 2-0 21-11 21 -13
Men’s Bronze Medal Encounter
Udaya Suriyan Poonthamizhan & Abithan Senthilkumar (India) Jurme Rangdal and Tshering Dorji (Bhutan) 2-0 21-14, 21 -16
Men’s Final
SL Barath Sonu & Rajesh Vinayagamoorthy India 2-0, 21 -15, 21-19
Women’s Competition
Semifinals
Deepika Kandasamy and Pavithra Sudalaikasi (India) defeated Kamala Pun and Kopila Rana (Nepal) 02-00 (21-16, 15-14)
Bhavana Dangi and Sunita Rai (Nepal) defeated Revathy Velayoudame and Swetha Vairakannu India 02-00 (21-15, 24-22)
Women’s Bronze Medal Encounter
Revathy Velayoudame & Swetha Vairakannu India Kamala Pun & Kopila Rana Nepal 2-1 22-20, 19-21, 16-14
Women’s Final
Deepika and Pavithra (India) defeated Bhavana Dangi and Sunita Rai (Nepal) 02-01 (17-21, 21-14, 15-05)
. In a stunning display of athleticism and composure, the Sri Lankan men’s pair of Sandun Madusanka Fernando and Dileepa Chamika Senaratne clinched the gold medal, defeating their Indian rivals in straight sets to secure the nation's first-ever title at the event. ){kind=link}