Viren bags Gold at Bangladesh Challenge

By Susil Premalal

Sri Lanka’s top seed Men’s Singles shuttler, Viren Nettasinghe, bagged the gold medal at the Yonex-Sunrise Bangladesh International Challenge 2024, while Women’s Doubles pair Isuri Attanayake and Sithumi de Silva secured the bronze medal at the Bangabandhu National Stadium Complex in Paltan, Dhaka.

Viren, the youngest Sri Lankan shuttler to ever earn direct Olympic qualification, further stamped his class as he created history yet again by overcoming the much fancied and tournament favourite Xiaodong Sheng of Canada.

Viren, rated No. 4 at the Bangladesh competition, overcame the No. 3 seed, Sheng, in straight sets after a stiff battle.

The Canadian shuttler was a formidable opponent to Viren from the outset of the Men’s Singles final. But the gritty Sri Lankan showed great composure to secure the first set by 21-17. Sheng bounced back to threaten Viren in the following set by challenging him from the onset, but the Sri Lankan master proved his prowess by overpowering the Canadian by 21-17 to seal the gold medal.

Earlier, Viren defeated Darrel Chew of Malaysia in straight sets in the quarter-finals, after claiming set wins of 21-18 and 21-13 to secure his berth in the semi-final.

In the Round of 16, the 20-year-old Sri Lankan eased past Malaysian Wern Soon Chow in straight sets, with set wins of 21-8 and 21-15, after overcoming Indian Pranauv Ram Nagalingam in the Round of 32 in straight sets by 21-14 and 21-15.

Meanwhile, Isuri Attanayake and Sithumi de Silva had to settle for the bronze medal in the Women’s Doubles after falling victim to the Thailand pair Kodchaporn Chaichana and Pannawee Polyiam, who won the semi-finals in straight sets.

The Thai pair eased past the Sri Lankan duo, claiming both sets by 21-8 and 21-8 to advance further and claim the gold medal.

Isuri and Sithumi thrashed Jesmin Akter and Sumi Akther of Bangladesh in straight sets (21-6, 21-7) after receiving a bye in the Round of 16.