Ais and Alethea - under 19 shuttle champions

Angu RAJENDRAN

At the end of three glorious days of badminton at the International Schools Badminton Tournament at SSC, Asian International School emerged Under 19 boys’ champions, while Alethea International School cake-walked to victory in the girls Under 19 category. In the Under 15 boys’ category, once again Alethea proved they were the best shuttlers by beating Gateway College in the final 3/0.

In the Under 19 category, Asian International School beating CIS (3/2) in the semi-final was almost like winning the tournament. Last year’s champions CIS had beaten favourites Alethea with national players Chirantha Minimuthu and his brother Vibhavi in the quarter finals.

In the other semi final Gateway beat a well-matched team Leeds International School. Both teams had very young players but Gateway due to their experience of many previous tournaments was able to beat Leeds - 3/0. The final between AIS and Gateway saw the first single go to Asian with Devin Senaratne - the left handed player playing an attacking game beat Gateway’s Siyath 21/4,21/9. The second single was a turn around where Gateway’s most experienced player Ajmal beat Asian’s Jeewa 21/10,21/13. The third single was once again won easily by Isuru Hewaparakrama against Gateway’s Allen - 21/3, 21/5.

In the decider - the first double - Captain Dylan Lyman and Udhara of AIS - both experienced player beat Gateway’s very young players Roshan and Dimuth in two sets 22/20, 21/15.

In the Under 19 girls category, Alethea players beat Colombo International School- 2/1. Senali Perera of CIS beat Alethea’s Ovini in the first single 21/5,21/5. Indira of Alethea beat Zainab of CIS 21/5, 21/9. In the doubles Ruwani Perera and Sashien Perera beat Sinali and Lochana 21/14, 21/14.