Nishantha, new crown prince of world carrom

Anuradha ABEYSEKERA

Nishantha Fernando created history by becoming the second individual sports World Champion Sri Lanka has ever produced as he clinched the World carrom singles title beating India's Bharathidasan 25/4, 25/10 in the final of the sixth Carrom World Championship concluded at the Galadari hotel, Colombo yesterday.

Nishantha who is the reigning national champion of Sri Lanka maintained a superb record through out the tournament and booked his final berth by defeating Indian number three K Srinivas 25/18, 25/23 in the semi-final while Bharathidasan beat reigning World Champion Yogesh Paradeshi 25/24, 25/4 in the other semi-final.

Proving that he deserves the World Champion title Nishantha has played seven slams, which is the highest by an individual in this World Championship while the runner-up Bharathidasan was the second best with five slams.

"I was very confident from the beginning and knew that I have a great chance to win the title after world number one defending champion Paradeshi got defeated in the semi-final. I played my usual game and it was a comfortable win at the end," said Nishantha after winning the final.

Even though India bagged the highest number of titles by winning women's singles, doubles and both men's and women's team event titles they were unable to secure their men's singles title which they have won continuously since the inauguration of Carrom World Championship in 1991.

Sri Lankan women slicers shown a good improvement since the last World Championship in France, 2008 as Yashika Rahubadda and Madushika Kanchanamala emerged runner-up in the women's doubles event while Yashika, Madushika, Joseph Roshita and Chalani Lakmali partnered the women's team event second place as well.

Local men's players did not able to defend their team championship title and had to satisfied with the second place as they were defeated by strong Indians in the final.

The five-day Championship saw all the elite international slicers from 18 countries in action.

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage was the chief guest at the award ceremony and ICF, Asian Caoorm Federation and Regional Carrom Federation officials were also participated at the closing ceremony.

Final Results -

Men's single- Champion - Nishantha Fernando (SL), runner-up - Bharathidasan (IND)

Women's single - Champion - Rashmi Kumari (IND), runner-up - I Illabazhaki (IND)

Men's doubles - Champion - Yogesh Paradeshi and Pragash Gaikwad (IND), runner-up - K. Srinivas and Bharathidasan (IND)

Women's doubles - Champion - I. Illabazhaki and Rashmi Kumari (IND), runner-up - Yashika Rahubadda and Madushika Kanchanamala

Men's team event - Champions - India (Yogesh Paradesi, PrakGaikwad, K. Srinivas, Bharathidasan), runner-up - Sri Lanka ( Nishantha Fernando, Chamil Cooray, M. Sheriffdeen, Dimal Senaratne)

Women's team event - Champion - India ( Rashmi Kumari, I. Illabazhaki, K. Somanchi, Paramila Devi), runner-up - Sri Lanka (Joseph Roshita,Yashika Rahubadda, Madushika Kamchanamala and Chalani Lakmali)

Swiss League - 1. Prakash Gaikwad (IND) , 2. Nishantha Fernando (SL), 3. Yogesh Paradeshi (IND), 4. K.Srinivas (IND), 5. Chamil Cooray (SL)