Daily News: Sports | Mihiliya and Ravindu clinch MAX Open Squash titles

Saturday, 6 October 2012

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Mihiliya and Ravindu clinch MAX Open Squash titles

Anuradha Abeysekera

Young emerging squash stars Mihiliya Methsarani and Ravindu Laksiri bagged double titles by winning Under-19 and Open events in the recently concluded inaugural MAX Open Squash Tournament, which was conducted by Sri Lanka Squash Federation (SLSF) and worked off at the Sugathadasa Squash Complex. The tournament was sponsored by MAX-Canada and supported by MS Amboss (Sri Lanka).

Mihiliya Methsarani with chief guest after receiving her award.

Ravindu Laksiri receiving the trophy from MS Amboss (SL) Managing Directress Thanuja De Silva.

Ravindu, a 16-year old lad from D. S. Senanayake College won the boys’ under-19 final beating Udantha Hewage in straight sets (11/5,11/3,11/2). An exciting squash battle was showcased in the Open final where Ravindu tamed much fancied Gihan Suwaris after a thrilling five setter (12/10,03/11,11/5,01/11,11/6).

The 14-year old Sririmavian Mihiliya registered an easy straight set victory against Naduni Gunawardane in the under-19 final (11/9,11/6,13/11), but received a strong challenge from the same opponent in the Open event final on her way to the crown. Using all her experience and extraordinary talent Mihiliya overcame a first-set setback (6/11) in the following three sets and made her way to the Open title (12/10, 12/10,11/5).

Mihiliya has shown an impressive progress in her squash career and won several international and national level titles in recent times. She became the winner of under-15 age category in the Indian Open Squash Championship early this year and won the bronze medal of the same age category in the Asian Junior Squash Championship. She also clinched a double (Under-19 and Open) in the Premadasa Open Squash Championship last June.

MS Amboss (SL) Managing Directress Thanuja De Silva was the chief guest at the award ceremony and gave away the prizes.

[Boys under 09]
DHT Randina beat A Wijethunga 11/2, 11/7, 11/5

[Boys under 11]
Asmone beat Pasan Rochana 14/12, 12/10,11/6

[Boys under 13]
Druvinka Perera beat Tuwin Osanda 11/4,11/5,11/5

[Boys under 15]
Shamil Wakeel beat K Viduranga Udantha 11/9,11/4,11/6

[Boys under 17]
Rashendra Rajarathne beat Udantha Hewage 12/10,11/8

[Boys under 19]
Ravindu Laksiri beat Udantha Hewage 11/5,11/3,11/2

[Men's open]
Ravindu Laksiri beat Gihan Suwaris 12/10,03/11,11/5,01/11,11/6

[Men's over 35]
Thalagala beat M Rizwan 11/5,11/6,11/7

[Masters over 45]
M Rizwin beat RS Deen 11/6,11/9,11/5

[Masters over 50]
M Azmi beat Padmakumara 11/7,11/5,11/9

[Girls under 09]
Yeheni Kuruppu beat A Perera 11/2,11/3,11/4