Teshani, Hasara strike gold as Sri Lanka return with six medals

Sri Lanka's Teshani Nayanathara and Hasara Wijerathna came from behind to beat their Indian counterparts to win the women’s doubles at the South Asian under-21 Regional Badminton Championship as the team returned home with one gold, one silver and four bronze medals.

The Championships were held in Addu City, Maldives.

The Sri Lankan pair lost the first set but fought back to defeat the top women’s singles duo of the championships, Deepshikha Singh and Mansi Singh 8-21, 24-22, 21-17 in the final which lasted for 42 minutes.

Nayanathara and Wijerathna reached the final after beating the Bhutanese pair Phuntsho Dema and Kinley Wangmo 21-11, 21-7 in the semifinal. The semifinal only lasted for 22 minutes.

Interestingly, it was Deepshika and Mansi who won the gold and silver medals respectively in the women’s singles where Sri Lanka’s second bronze medal was produced. Hasini Husaka of Ambalangodage secured a podium spot after reaching the semifinal following her win against third seeded Maldivian Fathimah Abdul Razzaq 24-22, 21-11 in the quarters. In the semis, she lost to Mansi 15-21, 16-21 as the Indian advanced to meet her compatriot in the final.

In the men’s singles, both of the Sri Lankan entries made it to the medal round.

Dumindu Abeywickrema reached the semifinals after defeating Bangladesh’s Gourab Singha 21-17,21-18 before he lost to the eventual champion Sarath Dunna 11-21, 21-11, 6-21 in the semis.

Sasindu Ranthushka won his quarter-final against India’s Sai Charan Koya 17-21, 21-17, 21-19 before losing to Nepal’s Prince Dahal 21-16, 15-21, 18-21. Both Abeywickrema and Ranthushka won bronze.

The Sri Lankan men’s doubles pair, Deegayu Kahatapitiya and Lakindu Ranaveera also sealed a bronze medal when they reached the semifinals.

They beat the top seeded Bangladeshi duo Mohamed Abdul Hamid Lukman and Gourab Singha 21-14, 21-18. They went down to India’s Dunna and koya 13-21, 15-21 in the semifinal.

Sri Lanka had also secured the silver medal in the mixed team event after losing to India 3-1 in the finals.

Sri Lankan team was coached by Yukthi Rangana while Kanchana Wimalasuriya was the manager of the touring 13-member contingent. Tharanga Wimalasuriya was the lady chaperon.

All expenses of the tour were borne by Sri Lanka Badminton and the Sports Ministry.