Chameera, Ishara win TT titles

Chameera Ginige and Ishara Madurangi won the men’s and women’s singles titles of the Dhanasiri Amarathunga Challenge Trophy All Island Ranking Table Tennis Tournament organised by the Western Province Table Tennis Association at Mount Lavinia.

In the women’s final Madurangi beat Muthumali Priyadarshani 11-6, 11-9, 11-7 and in a closely contested men’s final Ginige beat Senura Silva 7-11, 11-9, 11-5, 9-11, 11-8.

Madurangi reached the final with a convincing 11-1, 11-3, 11-4 win over Erandi Warusavithana in the semi-final while Priyadarshani outdid Hansani Piyumala 11-8, 11-13, 11-5, 11-5 for her final spot.

In the men’s semi-final Ginige beat Krishan Wickramaratne 11-8, 3-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-7 whilst, Senura Silva beat Supun Warasuwithana 11-7, 11-9, 10-12, 12-10 to reach the final.

It was the second All Island Ranking Tournament conducted by the Table Tennis Association of Sri Lanka under the 2020 calendar. The TTASL started conducting postponed-2020 events (due to the Covid 19 Pandemic) a fortnight ago with the championship in Kegalle.

Organised by the Western Province Table Tennis Association (WPTTA), the championship attracted 170 competitors consisting of 100 men and 70 women players.

The organizers originally planned to host both under 18 and under 15 boys’ and girls’ category events in addition to the open mens’ and womens’ events. But they were postponed after health officials instructed to reduce participation. TTASL said that both events will be held later.

In the women’s open category, 54 players competed in the qualification rounds where 16 qualified to play in the main draw and compete against the 16 ranked players. In the men’s open category, 84 players competed in the qualification rounds and 16 qualified to play in the main event playoff with the 16 ranked players.

Women’s Quarter-final results:

Ishara Madurangi (SL Ports Authority) bt. Ayla Chitty (Ladies College, Colombo) 11-8, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6

Erandi Warusavithana (Raigam Marketing) bt. Bimandi Bandara (Hillwood College, Kandy) 11-8, 4-11, 11-8, 11-7

Hansani Piyumali (SL Navy) bt. Jithara Warnakulasuriya (Ladies College Colombo) 4-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-2

Muthumali Priyadarshani (SL Navy) bt. Thanushi Rodrigo 11-6, 11-7, 11-9

Men’s Quarter-final results

Krishan Wickkramaratne (VOBSC) bt. Imandtha Udanjaya (SL Army) 11-5,11-7, 11-5

Chameera Ginige (Uni. Sri Jayewardenepura) bt. Prasad De Silva (Road Dev) 5-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-9

Supun Warasuwithana (Uni. Moratuwa) bt. Chanul Dulsen (Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda) 11-5, 11-6, 5-11, 12-10

Senura Silva (Ananda College, Colombo) bt. Milinda Lakshitha (OMBC) 10-12, 11-5, 11-8, 11-9

Apart from winners all quarter-finalists received certificates. Chief Guest at the tournament Nilushi Theodore, Brand Executive, Raigam Marketing Services distributed gift packs to the winners and runner-up. The finalists received the trophies from the General Secretary of the TTASL Shrinath Wijethunga. Cash awards were awarded by Anura Lal, Managing Director of Githmi Sports, Ambalangoda.