Viren, Panchali clinch singles crowns at WPBA Open tourney

Viren Nettasinghe and Panchali Adhikari clinched the men’s and women’s singles crowns at the Western Province Badminton Association (WPBA) – organised Open Ranking Championships marked the return of competitive badminton action at the MBA & Otters Courts over the last weekend.

Nettasinghe beat Dumindu Abeywickrama 21-14, 22-20 in the men’s singles final while Adhikari overcame her counterpart Ranithma Liyanage in a thrilling final which was stretched to three sets (19-21, 21-14, 21-12).

Earlier, Nettasingle also won the men’s doubles title with his partner Rasindu Hendahewa when the talented duo overcame Resintha De Silva and Shamika De Silva in straight sets (21-12, 21-11).

Meanwhile, Adhikari and her doubles partner Manudi Mithara had to be satisfied with the runner-up position after losing to Buthmi Galagamage and Nadeesha Gayanthi (16-21, 21-18, 21-17) in the final.

The mixed doubles title was won by Thulith Palliyaguru and Buthmi Galagamage who beat Lochana De Silva and Raini Abeysingha (21-16, 21-16) in the final.

Sachen Fernando (U-17) and Siyath Senaratne (U-19) emerged victorious in the boys’ singles finals while Varangana Jayawardana (U-17) and Suhasni Vidanage (U-19) clinched girls’ singles titles.

Sunil Jayasiri, Rohan Fernando, George Karunanayake, Mahinda Jayaweera, Subash Janaka, Gihan Ranasinghe and Ruvini Rathnasiri also won singles titles in their respective age groups.

The tournament was the first open ranking event to take place following a long break due to the COVID-19 pandemic which disrupted the country’s badminton competition schedule.

Telecom Supremo SLT MOBITEL was the main sponsor of the event which saw over 300 shuttlers in action.

The results

Girls Doubles Under 19 winners: Panchali Adhikari/Manudi Mithara
Boys Doubles Under19 Winners: Jason Homer/Savinaka Weerasekara

Girls Singles Under19 Winner: Suhasni Vidanage
Boys Singles under 19 Winner: Siyath Senaratne

Girls Doubles Under17 Winners: Maneesha Jayawardhana/Samindi Onel
Boys Doubles Under17 winners: Aashinsa Herath/Saajid Majeed

Girls Singles Under 17 Winner: Varangana Jayawardana
Boys Singles Under 17 Winner: Sachen Fernando

Mixed Doubles Winners: Thulith Palliyaguru/Buthmi Galagamage
Womens Doubles Winners: Buthmi Galagamage/Nadeesha Gayanthi

Mens Doubles over 30 Winners: Hasitha Chanaka/Rajitha Dahanayake
Mens Doubles Winners: Rasindu Hendahewa/Viren Nettasinghe

Womens SinglesWinner: Panchali Adhikari
Mens Singles Winner: Viren Nettasinghe