Sri Lanka badminton players strike it rich in China | Page 2 | Sunday Observer

Sri Lanka badminton players strike it rich in China

26 May, 2019
The Sri Lanka badminton team which became group champions pose with their medals. From left: Buwaneka Gunatilleka, Kavidi Sirimannage, Thilini Hendahewa, Dilmi Dias, Tony Wahyudi (coach), Mahinda Gamage, Sachin Dias and Dinuka Karunaratna
The Sri Lanka badminton team which became group champions pose with their medals. From left: Buwaneka Gunatilleka, Kavidi Sirimannage, Thilini Hendahewa, Dilmi Dias, Tony Wahyudi (coach), Mahinda Gamage, Sachin Dias and Dinuka Karunaratna

Sri Lanka’s badminton players created history in the international arena by emerging as group champions at the Sudirman Cup tournament held in China.

They achieved this feat with an unbeaten record which is also a display of improvement on their ability.

Sri Lanka played against Slovakia, Lithuania and Switzerland in Group 3B and came back strongly to win all their group matches and finish on top.

They beat Slovakia 4-1, Lithuania 5-0 and did well to beat a highly ranked Switzerland and Ireland in a tough tie 3-2. Coach Tony Wahyudi said that the Sri Lankan players put on show superb fighting qualities to emerge champions and the way they played they deserved to win in the group.

“I have to give special credit to the doubles pairs of Sachin Dias and Buwaneka Gunatilleka among the men and Thilini Hendahewa and Kavidi Sirimannage in the women’s category. Thilini and Kavidi displayed vast improvement and played really well against Switzerland and then Ireland,” said Wahyudi.

“Both Thilini and Kavidi had a very good understanding between them and read the game well to obtain crucial points over their opponents,” added Wahyudi the coach from Indonesia. Dinuka Karunaratne the experienced player of the side and Kavidi Sirimannage played their singles matches and young Dilmi Dias needs to get more experience by playing more matches.

“Out next target is the South Asian Games in December. The way these players performed we can hope for medals. I can expect a gold medal from the women’s doubles pair of Thilini and Kavidi. We have ample time for the preparations with all facilities given by the Sri Lanka Badminton president Nishantha Jayasinghe,” said Wahyudi.

 

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