Nevindu Lakman
Nevindu Lakman, the promising young squash talent from Sri Lanka, made an impressive statement in the World Junior Squash Championships as he defeated Hong Kong’s number 1 player, TSE Jat, with a commanding 3-0 victory. The encounter, held yesterday in Melbourne, Australia, showcased Lakman’s remarkable skills and determination as he now eyes the coveted Plate Championship.
This remarkable win marks a significant turnaround for Lakman, who had suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Asia’s top-seeded player, Jat TSE, just six months ago. The three-set scoreline in favor of Lakman displayed his growing prowess, reading 11-8, 13-11, and 11-9.
Earlier in the Singapore Open Squash Championship in late December 2022, Lakman had also faced a similar 3-0 defeat against Jat. His yesterday’s triumph over the Asian heavyweight within a seven-month period underscores his incredible progress and bodes well for the upcoming Asian Junior Squash Championship later this year.
Ecstatic after the match, Lakman expressed his delight, saying, “It was a stunning result for me. I feel great improvement in myself. Jat represents Hong Kong, one of Asia’s top squash-playing countries.”
Notably, Lakman stands as the sole participant from his country in the competition, while his Hong Kong counterpart benefits from a specialized coaching team, including a coach, physio, and manager. Despite the odds, Lakman remained humble, acknowledging the support he received from a few of his school, DS Senanayake College Old Boys, who currently reside in Melbourne.
Looking forward to the next challenge, Lakman is all set to face England in the quarter-final match today. Confident in his abilities, he firmly believes he can clinch the glittering Plate Championship.