Sri Lanka’s top seed Men’s Singles shuttler, Viren Nettasinghe bagged the gold medal at the medals at the Yonex-Sunrise Bangladesh International Challenge 2024, while Women’s Doubles pair Isuri Attanayake and Sithumi de Silva secured the bronze medal at the Bangabandhu National Stadium Complex in Paltan, Dhaka on Saturday.
Viren, the youngest Sri Lankan shuttler to ever earn direct Olympic qualification, further stamped his class as he created history yet again by overcoming the much fancied and tournament favourite Xiaodong Sheng of Canada. Viren, rated No.4 at the Bangladesh competition, overcame the No.3 seed Sheng in straight sets, after a stiff battle.
“This victory means everything to me and my country. It’s a testament to hard work, resilience, and the unwavering support of everyone who believed in me,” overwhelmed by his victory, Viren said.
The Canadian shuttler was a formidable opponent to Viren from the outset of the Men’s Singles final. But the gritty Sri Lankan showed great composure to secure the first set by 21/17. Sheng bounced back to threaten Viren in the following set by challenging him from the onset, but the Sri Lankan master proved his prowess by overpowering the Canadian by 21/17 to seal the gold medal.
Viren defeated Darrel Chew of Malaysia in straight set in the quarter-final, after claiming set wins of 21/18 and 21/13 to secure his berth in the semi-final. Earlier in the Round of 16, the 20-year-old Sri Lankan eased past Malaysian Wern Soon Chow in straight sets, with set wins of 21/8 and 21/15, after overcoming Indian Pranauv Ram Nagalingam in the Round of 32 in straight sets, by 21/14 and 21/15.
Isuri Attanayake and Sithumi de Silva had to settle in with the bronze medal in the Women’s Doubles after falling victim to Thailand pair Kodchaporn Chaichana and Pannawee Polyiam, who won the semi-final in straight sets. The Thai pair eased past the Sri Lankan duo, claiming both sets by 21/8 and 21/8 to advance further and claim the gold medal. Isuri and Sithumi thrashed Jesmin Akter and Sumi Akther of Bangladesh in straight sets (21/6, 21/7) after receiving a bye in the Round of 16.
A total of 12 shuttlers turned out at the Yonex-Sunrise Bangladesh International Challenge 2024 representing Sri Lanka, out of them were seven boys and five girls, who competed under Men’s and Women’s Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles. A total of 228 shuttlers from 24 countries are in contention at the five-day tournament conducted by the Bangladesh Badminton Federation and sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation.
