SA Games discard still unbeatable | Page 2 | Sunday Observer

SA Games discard still unbeatable

1 December, 2019
Chalitha Ranjana
Chalitha Ranjana

For the ninth year running Chalitha Ranjana from Seylan Bank once again proved his power to win the men’s Open championship at the 64th Mercantile Table Tennis tournament at S.Thomas’ College gymnasium Mount Lavinia.

Chalitha, a four time National champ, defeated Lakshitha Chaturanga of CDB Bank 3-0 to win the men’s Open while he also won the Masters Open title by defeating Nirmala Jayasinghe of MAS Holdings with a hard fought 3-2 setter at the final.

Jayasinghe is the captain of the Sri Lanka men’s team for this year’s South Asian Games in Nepal. However Chalitha played a very competitive game in the Masters Final to beat his opponent Jayasinghe.

Chalitha then partnered Vinoli Silva also from Seylan Bank to clinch the Open mixed Doubles event defeating the MAS Holdings pair of Nirmala Jayasinghe and Kalpani Herath after a hard fought 3/2 sets win in the final.

Eventually the former Sri Devananda College paddler Chalitha completed a Triple championship win.

Kalpni Herath defeated Oshadee Gunasekara of Scienter Technologies 3-1 to win the Open women’s single while Gamini Moraes of Astron defeated N.M Tillekaratna of Singer to win the veteran’s single title .

Chalitha said his performances once again proved his dominance in the Mercantile tournament and regretted he could not secure a place in the team for the South Asian Games.

“When the South Asian Games trials were held I was away in New Zealand for the New Zealand championships. I won three medals in New Zealand but very disappointed that I had to miss the selection process.

“I would have definitely booked my place for the South Asian Games. But I have to thank my employer Seylan Bank for giving me good support to continue my TT career. I think with my experience I can do this sport and maintain good fitness for another two or three years,” said Chalitha Ranjana who is coached by AW Anura Lal.

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