Goonethilleka crowned champion for second consecutive year, teen Liyanage wins first title
Buwanka Goonethilleka successfully defended his singles title while bagging a triple crown as 15-year-old Ranithma Liyanage clinched her maiden open women’s title at the 70th National Badminton Championships hosted by Sri Lanka Badminton.
In the open men’s singles final which took place at the Sugathadasa Stadium, Goonethilleka defeated Viren Neththasinghe in straight sets (21-18, 21-16) to clinch back-to-back National titles. Goonethilleka, ranked 100th in the BWF Men’s Doubles standings, then teamed up with his regular partner Sachin Dias to beat Dumindu Abeywickrama and Ashinsa Herath 21-16, 21-11 in the Open Men’s Doubles.
Then he went on to clinch his third title at this year’s Championships when he partnered with Kavindi Sirimannage in the Mixed Doubles as they beat Thulith Palliyaguru and ButhmI Galagamage 21-13, 21-15.
Meanwhile, the young sensation Liyanage beat Madhushika Beruwalage in straight sets (21-8, 21-16) to clinch her maiden Open National Singles title. Earlier, the Christ Church Girls’ College student had won the Open Women’s Doubles title when she teamed up with Kavindi Sirimannage to beat Buthmi Galagamage and Madhushika Beruwalage in straight sets (21-9, 21-14) in the final.
The presentation ceremony was held with Director General of Sports Development, Amal Edirisuriya as the chief guest in the presence of Sri Lanka Badminton President Rohan de Silva, SLB officials and former players.
FINALS
Over-30 Men’s Singles
Champion – Supun Piyaratne, Runner-up – Viren Neththasinghe
Over-30 Women’s Singles
Champion – Nadeesha Gayathri, Runner-up – Ruwini Rathnasiri
Over-30 Men’s Doubles
Champions – Hasitha Chanaka/K. A. G. A. K. Perera, Runner-up – Chameera Bandara/Charith Haridhu
Over-30 Mixed Doubles
Champions – Roshan Kumara/Ruwini Rathnasiri, Runners-up – Dulana Kaluarachchachi/Sandamali Senananayke
Over-35 Men’s Singles
Champion – Roshan Kumara, Runner-up – Charith Haridhu
Over-35 Men’s Doubles
Champions – Roshan Kumara/Anushka Lakshan, Runners-up – Sumudu Kumarasinghe/Prasad Perera
Over-40 Men’s Singles
Champion – Hemantha Kodithuwakku, Runner-up – Nalin Weerakoon
Over-40 Men’s Doubles
Champions – K. P. Randika Peiris/Eranda Samaranayake, Runners-up – Rajitha Guruge/Sumudu Silva
Over- 45 Men’s Singles
Champion – Subhash Janaka, Runner-up – C.A.D. Samantha
Over-45 Women’s Singles
Champion – Priyanka Abeyrathna, Runner-up – Anusha Gamage
Over-45 Men’s Doubles
Champions – Clarence Homer/Duminda Jayakody, Runners-up – Kanchana Ekanayake/Dhammika Wanigasekara
Over-45 Women’s Doubles
Champions – Vipuli Abeysekara/Ranjini Senevirathne, Runners-up – Thushari Brahmanage/Enoka Shriani
Over-45 Mixed Doubles
Champions – Janath Fernando/Renu Chandrika, Runners-up – Senaka Athanayake/Enoka Shriani
Over-50 Men’s Singles
Champion – Nihal Amarasena, Runner-up – Upendra Jayawardane
Over-50 Women’s Singles
Champion – Vipuli Abeysekara , Runner-up – Enoka Shriani
Over-50 Men’s Doubles
Champions – Nihal Amarasena/Upendra Jayawardane, Runners-up – Kamal Gamalth/Niroshan Wijekoon
Over-55 Men’s Singles
Champion – Niroshan Wijekoon, Runner-up – Aruna Krishantha
Over-55 Men’s Doubles
Champions – Aruna Krishantha/Lasantha, Runners-up – Rohitha Fernando/Senaka Wickramasinghe
Over-60 Men’s Doubles
Champions – Louis Karunaratne/Mohan Wijesinghe, Runners-up – Clarence Silva/Abeykoon Bandara
Over-65 Men’s Singles
Champion – Gamini Jayawardane, runner-up – Sunil Jayasiri
Disabled Men’s Singles
Champion – Sanjeewa Perera, runner-up – Denzil Fernando
Plate Women’s Singles
Champion – Anuthmi Sooriyabandara, Runner-up – Sandamali Senanayake
Plate Male Singles
Champion – Viran Perera, Runner-up – Akila Fernando
Plate Women’s Doubles
Champions – Kavindi Sirimannage/Ranithma Liyanage, Runners-up – Madhushika Beruwalage/Buthmi Galagamage
Open Men’s Doubles
Champions – Sachin Dias/ Buwanaka Goonethilleka, Runners-up – Dumindu Abeywickrama/Ashinsa Herath
Open Mixed Doubles
Champions – Buwanka G Goonethilleka /Kavindi Sirimamannage, Runners-up – Thulin Palliyaguru/Buthmi Galagamage
Open Women’s Singles
Champion – Ranithma Liyanage, Runner-up – Madhushika Beruwalage
Open Men’s Singles
Champion – Buwanaka Goonethilleka, Runner-up – Viren Neththasinghe