Badminton: Niluka wins 17th national title before announcing retirement

Double Olympian Niluka Karunaratne announced his retirement from all local events after winning his 17th National Badminton Men’s Singles title in Colombo.

In the final of the 68th National Championships, the most decorated shuttle in the country, Niluka defeated Ransindu Hendahewa in straight sets (21-17, 21-16) before completing a brilliant double by sharing the Men’s Doubles title with his brother Dinuka.

The famous Karunaratne brothers defeated Lakindu Ranaweera and Ruhan Wijesinghe 21-17, 23-21 in the final to clinch the title.

Despite the shock announcement, Niluka will continue to focus on international ranking events with the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in mind. 

The champion shuttler has competed in London 2012 and Rio Games 2016 and was also the flagbearer for Sri Lanka in the 2012 Games.

On Sunday, in the women’s division, top seed Hasini Ambalangodage lived up to expectations by defeating Hasara Wijerathne 21-14, 21-9 to win the Singles crown.

Hasini teamed up with Kavindi Sirimannage to defeat former National Singles champion Achini Rathnasiri and Upuli Weerasinghe 21-19, 21-18 to enjoy another golden award at the Nationals.

In the Mixed Doubles, Buwaneka Goonatilleka and Kavindi Sirimannage emerged victorious over Rajitha Dahanayake and Rathnasiri with a 21-5, 21-14scoreline.

The five-day event which saw some of the exciting finales being played on Sunday at the Sri Lanka Badminton Headquarters following thrilling contests which took place at the Mercantile Badminton Association courts and Otter Aquatic Club.

Results of finals

Men's Singles: Niluka Karunaratne beat Rasindu Hendahewa 2-0 (21-17, 21-16)

Women's Singles: Hasini Ambalangodage beat Hasara Wijayarathne 2-0 (21-14, 21-9)

Men's Doubles: Dinuka Karunaratne/Niluka Karunaratne beat Lakindu Ranaweera/Ruhan Wijesinghe 2-0 (21-17, 23-21)

Women's Doubles: Hasini Ambalangodage/Kavindi Sirimannage beat Achini Rathnasiri/ Upuli Weerasinghe 2-0 (21-19, 21-18)

Mixed Doubles: Buwaneka Goonatilleka/Kavindi Sirimannage beat Rajitha Dahanayake/Achini Rathnasiri 2-0 (21-5, 21-14)
 
Boys' Singles U-15: PulinaWellalage beat Shenuk Samararatne 2-0 (21-13, 21-12) 

Girls' Singles U-15: Varangana Jayawardana beat Pawani Pemarathna 2-0 (27-25, 21-18) 

Boys' Doubles U-15: Shenuk Samararatne/Pulina Wellalage beat Thilina Rajakaruna/Thesath Rajapakse 2-0 (21-8, 21-6)

Girls' Doubles U-15: Dinethya Jayindi/Dewni Ubesiriwardhana beat Varangana Jayawardana/Neily Tennakoon 2-1 (21-9, 15-21, 21-11)

Boys' Singles U-17: Aashinsa Herath beat Sachen Fernando 2-0 (22-20, 23-2)

Girls' Singles U-17: Dasithma Jayathilaka beat Pravina Wijesundara 2-0 (21-16, 21-9)

Girls' Doubles U-17: Tisuni Midara/Senuji Umagiliyage beat Isuri de Alwis/Natasha Gunasekara 2-1 (21-12, 24-26, 21-14)

Boys' Singles U-19: Dumindu Abeywickrama beat Thenuka de Silva 2-0 (21-9, 21-9)

Girls' Singles U-19: Jananuwani Amanda beat Ashini Fernando 2-0 (21-18, 21-1)

Boys' Doubles U-19: Lochana de Silva/Thulith Palliyaguru beat Madhubhanu Kariyawasam/Oshamika Karunarathna 2-0 (21-16, 21-10)

Girls' Doubles U-19: Jananuwani Amanda/Yeheni Kuruppu beat Sasini Hansamali/Thiyana Vidanaarachchi 2-1 (24-22, 19-21, 21-9)

Men's Singles O-35: Hasitha Chanaka beat Nalin Fernando 2-0 (21-11, 21-7)

Men's Singles O-40: Subash Janaka beat Iranda Samaranayake 2-1 (21-19, 9-21, 21-17)

Women's Singles O-40: Priyanka Abeyratne beat Thushari Brahamanage 2-0 (21-6, 21-17)

Men's Doubles O-40: Thanuja Liyanage/Nihan Ranasinghe beat Shimal Aponso/Saminda Katapearachchi 2-1 (16-21, 21-15, 21-14)
 
Men's Singles O-45: Upendra Jayawardena beat C.A.D. Samantha 2-0 (21-11, 21-15)

Men's Doubles O-45: Clarence Homer/Upendra Jayawardena beat Senaka Attanayaka/C.A.D. Samantha 2-0 (21-9, 21-14)
  
Men's Singles O-50: Niroshana Wijekoon beat Nihal Amarasena 2-0 (21-16, 21-14)
 
Women's Singles O-50: Vipuli Abeysekara beat Enoka Jayalath 2-0 (21-4, 21-9)

Men's Doubles O-50: Kamal Gamlath/V.D.K. Kaluarachchi beat NihalAmarasena/Darshana Senarathna 2-0 (21-14, 21-7)

Women's Doubles O-50: Vipuli Abeysekara/Kaushali Dissanayake beat Enoka Jayalath/Lakshmi Punchihewa 2-0 (21-7, 21-16)
 
Men's Singles O-55: Rohan Fernando beat Jayath Wickramasinghe 2-1 (16-21, 21-15, 21-18)

Men's Doubles O-55: Rohan Fernando/Niranjan Wijesekara beat Anil de Silva/Aruna Krishantha 2-0 (21-8, 21-10)
 
Men's Singles O-60: W.A. Ariyasena beat Louie Karunaratne (w/o)

Men's Doubles O-60: Lakshman Joseph/Saliya Pathiraja beat W.A. Ariyasena/Arul Muthukumar 2-0 (21-8, 21-17)

Men's Singles O-65: Sunil Jayasiri beat Ajith Wijesinghe 2-1 (15-21, 21-13, Ret.)

Men's Doubles O-65: L.G. Amaratunga/Gamini Jayawardana beat Rohan de Silva/Ajith Wijesinghe 2-1 (21-14, 20-22, 21-13)

Plate Men's Singles: Gehan Moses beat Hansa de Silva 2-0 (23-21, 21-19)

Plate Women's Singles: Minanga Anujini beat Eranga Jayasinghe 2-0 (21-14, 21-7)