Ravindu Laksiri and Fathoum Issadeen were crowned squash champions at the 39th Senior National Squash tournament at the Air Force squash courts Ratmalana last week.
Laksiri won this major title for the seventh consecutive year while Issadeen created a major upset by defeating defending champion and number one seed Mihiliya Methsarani to take the women’s title. Issadeen had never won a National title and her entry could mark a new beginning after producing a tough fight against Methsarani.
The women’s final was more competitive with both Issadeen and Methsarani who paired up to win the bronze medal at the recent South Asian Games.
The first set was won by Issadeen 11/9 but the second set went to Methsarani as the contest stood at 1-1. However Issadeen was well in control of the game in the third set to win 11/7. The deciding fourth set gave Issadeen a 11/5 win.
The play-off game was won by Kasuni Gunawardena defeating Sameera Deen in the women’s section.
The experienced Ravindu Laksiri had to fight his South Asian doubles partner Shamil Wakeel at the men’s final to win 11/9, 11/3, 11/ 5.
Gihan Suwaris defeated Mohammad Hakeem to win the men’s play-off game.