Sri Lankan shuttlers excel at International Masters tourney in Colombo

By Dhammika Ratnaweera

Former National Badminton champions Kaushali Dissanayake, Chandrika de Silva, Sriyani Deepika and Niroshan Wijekoon excelled at the inaugural Ceylon Masters International Badminton Championships which concluded at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Niroshan Wijekoon defeated Indian shuttler Maran Thangavelu with straight sets 15/8,15/4 to win the men’s over 50 final while Sriyani Deepika who is based in Dubai won the women’s over 50 finals defeating Indian Sangeetha Rajagipal with a hard fought two sets 15/13,15/13.

Meanwhile two former champions Chandrika de Silva partnered with Kaushali Dissanayake received a walk over from Maccuwa pair Hul Ying Wan and Hua Mel Zhao to win the women’s over 40 doubles. Chandrika, a six-time national champion easily won the women’s over 40 single event in their round robin matches.

Former National player Hemantha Kodituwakku lost to Indonesian shuttler Mohammad Ahamad 15/6,15/2 in the men’s over 35 final while men’s over 40 final was won by Indian Aneeda Aneesh defeating Sri Lankan Manjula Fernando in a three setter 15/13,10/15,15/10 while Aneefa and Biju Mohan won the over 40 doubles with defeating Manjula Fernando and Clerence Hormer 19/17,15/10.

Upendra Jayawardena beat Indian Marlev Mario 15/2,15/8 at the men’s over 45 final.

Indian pair Naik Naidu and Maran Tgangavelu  defeated Niroshan Wijekoon and New Zealand player Dev Senthiya 15/13,15/11 to take the men’s over 50 doubles title. Men’s over 65  final made three hard fought game finally Rohan de Silva and Indonesian Frits Mainaky won the game defeating Indian pair Vijayakumar and Puttaraj with 15/10,14/16,15/12

Men’s over 45 doubles won by Clarence Hormer and Upendra Jayawardena defeating Duminda Jayakody and Subash Janaka 15/10,15/10.

The shuttlers from India, Nepal, China, Macau, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Australia, Malaysia and host Sri Lanka took part in a three-day tournament. Army Commander Lt General Mahesh Senanayake was the chief guest and gave away the medals and cash awards.