Kathmandu, Nepal – In a display of exceptional skill and determination, Sri Lankan badminton players showcased their prowess at the Badminton Asia (South Asia) Regional Championships 2023 (Individual Event) held in Kathmandu, Nepal. The championship, organized by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Badminton Asia Confederation, saw Sri Lanka’s shuttlers dominate the competition across various categories.
The championship, which unfolded against the breathtaking backdrop of Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, witnessed Sri Lankan athletes putting their talents on full display. The under-15 and under-17 girls’ singles categories were particularly impressive, with Sri Lankan players demonstrating their dominance in the finals.
In an all-Sri Lankan Girls’ Under-15 Singles final, NethmiRatnayake exhibited remarkable finesse as she triumphed over SithuliRanasinghe with a convincing score of 21-13, 21-10. The Girls’ Under-17 Singles final also witnessed another double victory for Sri Lanka, as RanithmaLiyange secured the title by defeating compatriot Ranumi Manage with an impressive score of 21-6, 21-8.
The Sri Lankan prowess extended to the doubles events as well. The Under-15 and Under-17 Mixed Doubles categories witnessed the country’s duos seizing victory. In the Under-15 mixed doubles, SenuthSethmithaPerera and NethmiRatnayake collaborated effectively to defeat their fellow Sri Lankan opponents KenethAruggoda and SithuliRanasinghe with a score of 21-20, 21-12. Meanwhile, in the Under-17 mixed doubles, ThidasaWeragoda and RanithmaLiyange secured their victory by triumphing over HirukaAluthPatabendige and Ranumi Manage with a score of 21-14, 21-16.
The Boys’ Under-15 doubles category added yet another feather to Sri Lanka’s cap. KenethAruggoda and SenuthSethmithaPerera displayed impeccable teamwork and determination as they managed to clinch a thrilling victory against Bangladesh’s Mostakim Hossain and WaliUllah with a nail-biting score of 21-15, 19-21, 23-21.
The Girls’ Under-15 and Under-17 doubles categories witnessed Sri Lankan duos continuing their remarkable streak. SithuliRanasinghe and NethmiRatnayake collaborated seamlessly to secure victory in the Girls’ Under-15 doubles final, defeating Nepal’s Dilasha Rana and Rihanna Sherchan with a score of 21-12, 21-4. The Girls’ Under-17 doubles final saw Ranumi Manage and RanithmaLiyange overpowering their opponents, AshathZoya Hussain and Mohamed ShareefShaiba from Maldives, with a dominating score of 21-6, 21-1.
Among the other notable achievements, ThidasaWeragoda emerged as the runner-up in the Boys’ Under-17 Singles category. Additionally, Sri Lankan players KenethAruggoda and HirukaAluthPatabendige secured third places in the Boys’ Under-15 Singles and Boys’ Under-17 Singles categories, respectively. The Boys’ Under-17 Doubles category also saw a third-place finish by the duo of HirukaAluthPatabendige and ThidasaWeragoda.
This remarkable performance by Sri Lankan shuttlers at the Badminton Asia Regional Championships 2023 came few days after the Under-15 and 17 boys and girls clinched titles at the Team Championships of the same tournament in Kathmabdu on August 20.