Nimesh wins maiden men’s singles table tennis title  

Nimesh, Bimandee most outstanding players 

Nimesh Ranchagoda of Sri Lanka Navy won his maiden men’s singles title while Bimandee Bandara of Hillwood College Kandy won the women’s singles title at the 75th National Table Tennis Championship conducted by the Table Tennis Association of Sri Lanka at the S Thomas’ Indoor Stadium Mount Lavinia over the weekend.

The two champions were also adjudged the Most Outstanding players of their respective categories.

The sailor beat Hiruna Warusavithana of Ananda College, Colombo 4-1 to secure the maiden men’s singles title of the Nationals (11-9, 11-13, 11-6, 11-9, 11-6). The men’s singles finalists also featured in the doubles finals with their brothers where Ranchagodas clinched the trophy.

Nimesh and his younger brother Thisas beat Supuna Warusavithana of the University of Moratuwa and his younger brother Hiruna in straight sets (11-8, 11-7, 11-7) in the best of five doubles final.

In the women’s singles final, Bimandee Bandara beat Maneesha Shalindi of Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda in straight sets 13-11, 11-5, 11-8, 12-10 for her second national title. She first won in 2018.

In the women’s doubles title fight, Ishara Madurangi of Sri Lanka Ports Authority joined Hansani Piumila of Sri Lanka Navy to beat Ayla Chitty of Ladies’ College and Bimandee Bandara 9-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-9, 11-7. Madurangi also had success in the mixed doubles.

The winners of the men’s and women’s singles finals received Rs. 25, 000.00 each and runners-up players were awarded Rs. 15,000.00. The semifinalists also received cash awards. Trophies and certificates were awarded by the Chief Guest, Dilshan Balasuriya, Director of Yeti Products. Anura Lal, Chairman of the Githmi Sports, Ambalangoda and Insee Cement were the sponsors of the cash awards.

Results of the other finals

Mixed Doubles

Finals: Ishara Madurangi of Sri Lanka Ports Authority and Chameera Ginige of University of Sri Jayawardanepura beat Sanduni Prabuddhika of Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda and Isuru Anjana of Sri Lanka Army – 9-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9, 11-5

Men’s Consolation Singles

Finals: Umesh Niluminda of Sri Lanka Army beat Senul Rathnayake of Dharmaraja College, Kandy – 10-12, 11-5, 15-13

Women’s Consolation Singles

Finals: Hashini Sandeepanie of Government Survey’s Association beat Dinewni Dissanayake of Mahamaya College, Kandy – 11-6, 11-1.