Men’s open singles champion Lochana de Silva receiving champion shield from Retired Group Captain Nalin de Silva
Lochana De Silva and Ranithma Liyanage emerged Open men’s and women’s singles champions at the Western Province Badminton Association (WPBA) All-Island Open Badminton championships which concluded at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium over the weekend.
In the men’s singles final, Lochana had to make three setter game against Sethum Perera. Lochana won the first set 21-13 but he lost the second set 14-21. However Lochana fought back to win third set 21-17 and clinch the title.
Meanwhile Ranithma Liyanage the 17- year-old National champion once again came to the fore at women’s singles, defeating Vidara Vidanage with two straight sets 21-8, 21-16. Ranithma also won the women’s doubles partnered with Praveena Wijesundara defeating Rashmi Bhagya and Varangana Jayawardena in a tense match that ended 19-21, 21-16, 21-18.
The men’s doubles title was won by Prince Dahal and Chamath Dias, who fought back from a first-game deficit to win 13-21, 21-18, 21-18 against Buwaneka Goonethilleka and Jason Homer.
The mixed doubles event was won by Marcello Vittorio Mainaky and Ranumi Manage edging out Thulith Palliyaguru and Varangana Jayawardena 21-17, 14-21, 21-19 in a nail-biting finish.
Keneth Aruggoda defeated Thejana Herath to win boys under 17 title while Thamindu Silva won the boys under 15 title defeating Savija Nethmina with three setter game. Dulanya Karunaratne beat Luckshana Sajeewakumar to win the girls under 17 title while Shenuk Samararatne clichéd the boys under 19 title defeating Daham Gunawardena. Pawani Illeperumaarachchi beat Amantha Thathsarani with two straight sets to win girls under 19 title at the junior events which ended before the open singles and doubles finals.
The six day tournament conducted by Sri Lanka Badminton which was rated as a Level 1 ranking tournament and saw top shuttlers from all around the country in action.
The winners received a combined cash reward of Rs. 750,000 in addition to medals and certificates. Rohan de Silva the President of SLB and Retired Group Captain Nalin de Silva were the chief guests at the award ceremony.
Dhammika Ratnaweera
