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by Chris Dhambarage

Former national champion Niroshan Wijekoon bounced back into recognition with an upset win over the bottom seed Udaya Wanasinghe on the second day of the 50th senior national badminton championships worked off at the Royal College gymnasium, Reid Avenue yesterday.

The unseeded Wijekoon booked a place in the men's singles quarter-finals with a rousing 15-10, 15-9 victory over the more fancied Udaya Wanasinghe. Another former national champion Duminda Jayakody too was in excellent form as defeated P. Welagedera in straight sets to join the last eight.

However in the men's doubles Niroshan Wijekoon and his partner Udaya Weerakoon were beaten by the combination of Chinthaka Gunaratne and Subash Janaka in a thrilling three setter 15-13, 4-15, 15-12. In another men's doubles match Niluka Karunarate and Thanuja Liyanage had the better of S. Ellepperuma and N. Amarasena 11-15, 15-5, 15-0. In addition Kamal Gamlath and D. Karunaratne beat M. S. Peiris and M. Kaluarachchi 17-14, 15-6.

In the other matches of the men's singles tournament D. D. Ranasinghe beat Subash Janaka, Chinthaka Gunaratne beat D. Karunaratne, I. Priyantha beat T. Liyanage and N. John beat U. Jayasundera.

In the women's singles the top seed and the defending champion Chandrika de Silva moved closer towards the title defeating J. Samarasinghe 11-0, 11-0. The tournament conducted by the Sri Lanka Badminton Association and sponsored by Commercial Bank will be continued at the same venue today.

Defence Services in rousing win

by Chris Dhambarage

The last year champions Defence Services HA launched their defence for the men's senior national hockey title with a rousing 3 nil win over Jaffna HA on the opening day of the 46th national championships worked off at the astro turf, Reid Avenue yesterday.

The last year runners up Matale HA also put up a fine performance as they trounced Colombo HA 3 nil after a scoreless first half. Wennappuwa HA had the credit of pulling off a convincing 6-1 win over Kegalle HA after leading 3 nil at half time.

Earlier Combined University, Kandy HA, Uva HA and Matara HA pulled out from the tournament leaving a total of 11 teams to battle for honours. Meanwhile the 13th women's senior nationals will commence today at the same venue with seven teams vying for honours.

The defending champions Matale HA are drawn in group 'A' along with Mercantile HA and State Services HA while Kandy HA, Sri Lanka Schools HA, Colombo HA and Galle HA are included in group 'B'. In fact Colombo HA will take on Kandy HA in the curtain raiser of the tournament at 8.00 a.m today followed by the clash between Schools and Galle HA. 

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