Sri Lankan badminton sensation VirenNettasinghe has advanced to the last 16 of the 19th Asian Games being held in Hangzhou, China.
Nettasinghe is competing in the Men’s Singles event in Hangzhou and is the sole Sri Lankan participant in the badminton competition at the Asian Games.
In a thrilling match at the Binjiang Gymnasium yesterday, Nettasinghe secured his place in the last 16 with a convincing 2-0 (21-8, 21-16) victory over SumiyasurenEnkhbat of Mongolia.
In the opening round, Nettasinghe outclassed Bhutan’s Anish Gurung with a commanding 2-0 (21-6, 21-14) victory to secure his position among the top 32 players in the tournament.
Nettasingherecently made headlines by winning the silver medal in the men’s singles event at the Badminton Challenge Tournament held in Medan, Indonesia.
He will now take on World No.13 Chou Tien-chen of Chinese Taipei for a place in the quarter-finals.