Niluka Karunaratne and Hasini Ambalangodage emerged Men's and Women's Open Singles champion respectively at the 68th National Badminton Championships, which concluded at the Mercantile Badminton Association Indoor Stadium in Colombo yesterday.
Karunaratne also secured his 17th National Singles title while overcoming the 19-year-old Rasindu Hendahewa in straight sets 21-17, 21-16.
Even then, Hendahewa who was making his first appearance in a National final gave a good account of himself and provided some anxious moments to his more senior opponent.
In fact, at one stage Hendahewa was in front but Karunaratne used all his skills and experience to bounce back into the game and seal the contest in his favour.
Earlier, in the semi-finals, Hendahewa beat Viren Nettasinghe while Karunaratne outclassed Ranthushka Karunatilleka.
Meanwhile, in the Women's Open Singles final, Ambalangodage produced a fine performance to beat Hasara Wijayaratne 21-14, 21-9 more comfortably and to clinch her first National title. In the Women's Open Doubles final, Hasini Ambalangodage partnered with Kavidi Sirimannage beat Achini Ratnasiri and Upuli Weerasinghe to win the title while Sirimannage together with Buwaneka Gunatilleka clinched the Mixed Double title defeating Achini Ratnasiri and Rajitha Dhahanayake.
In the Men's Doubles final, Karunaratne brothers, Niluka and Dinuka recorded a hard-fought 21-17, 23-21 win over Lakindu Ratnaweera and Ruhan Wijesinghe to win the title.
The results (All finals):
(Women's Doubles): Hasini Ambalangodage and Kavidi Sirimannage beat Achini Ratnasiri and Upuli Weerasinghe 21-19, 21-18.
(Mixed Doubles): Buwaneka Gunatilleka and Kavidi Sirimannage beat Achini Ratnasiri and Rajitha Dhahanayake 21-15, 21-14.
(Men's Doubles): Niluka Karunaratne and Dinuka Karunaratne beat Lakindu Ratnaweera and Ruhan Wijesinghe 21-17, 23-21.
(Women's Singles): Hasini Ambalangodage beat Hasara Wijayaratne 21-14, 21-9.
(Men's Singles): Niluka Karunaratne beat Rasindu Hendahewa 21-17, 21-16.
