Niluka Karunaratne wins 14th National title

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Niluka Karunaratne laid claim to his 14th National Championship title when he defeated younger brother Dinuka Karunaratne in Open Men’s Singles final at the 63rd Badminton National Championship held in Anuradhapura earlier this week.  

Being the top two players in the men’s division, it came as no surprise when Dinuka and Niluka clinched the doubles title as well. Niluka had high hopes of making it a trifecta of titles but he and partner Nadeesha Gayanthi were defeated by Buwenaka Gunathilake and Kavindi Sirimannage in the Open Mixed Doubles category final.  

Thilini Hedahewa walked away with the Open Women’s Title when she defeated Kavindi Sirimannage in the final.

All players reaching the quarter final rounds and beyond were awarded points that went as achievement points to their respective province, School, Club or Company as a new initiative this year.

The results of the Championship are as follows:

Open Mens’ Singles

Champion – Niluka Karunaratne

Runner Up – Dinuka Karunaratne

Open Mens’ Doubles

Champions – Niluka Karunaratne and Dinuka Karunaratne

Open Women’s Singles

Champion – Thilini Promodika Hendahewa

Runner Up – Kavindi Sirimannage

Open Women’s Doubles

Champions – Achini Rathnasiri and Upuli Samanthika

Open Mixed Doubles

Champions – Buwaneka Goonathilake and Kavindi Sirimannage

Under 19 Boys’s Singles

Champion – Resinthe Ridma

Runner Up – Maduka Dulanjana

Under 19 Boys’ Doubles

Champions – Nadith Anushka and Resintha Ridma

Under 19 Girls’ Singles

Champion – Kavindika de Silva

Runner Up – Inura Kuruppu

Under 19 Girls’ Doubles

Champions – Kavindika de Silva and Nilmithera Hettiarachchi

Under 17 Boys Singles

Champion – Tharin Punchihewa

Runner Up – K Amarasena

Under 17 Boys’ Doubles

Champions – Tharindu Ambegoda and Tharin Punchihewa

Under 17 Girls’ Singles

Champion – Hashini Ambalangodage

Runner Up – Hasara Wijeratne

Under 17 Girls Doubles

Champions – B Galagamage and Tharushi Rathnayake

Under 15 Boys’ Singles

Champion – Chamath Dias

Runner Up – Janiske Perera

Under 15 Girls’ Singles

Champion – Ilmi Dias

Runner Up – Anurangi Masakorale

Under 15 Boys’ Doubles

Champions – Banuka Abeyseinghe and Janishka Perera

Under 15 Girls’ Doubles

Champions – Dilmi Dias and Anurangi Masakorala

Under 13 Boys’ Singles

Champion – C Hanmitha

Runner Up – S Weerasekara

Under 11 Boys’ Singles

Champion – R Rupathunge

Runner Up – S Devasundara

Under 11 Girls’ Singles

Champion – Dewmi Hithora

Runner Up – S Umagiliya