Grand Slam Carrom:

Nishantha back to form with Grand Slam title

Anuradha ABEYSEKERA

World Champion Nishantha Fernando returned to his top form and bagged the 13th Grand Slam Carrom Championship title beating Chamil Cooray 25/18, 25/5 in the final as the tournament concluded at the Carrom Federation building, Maharagama yesterday. Chalani Lakmali clinched the women's title by defeated Yashika Rahubadda 25/10, 25/18 in the final.

Nishantha who experienced a set back in recent times played with confidence and proved his prowess by maintaining a winning streak during the tournament.

He beat Viraj Fernando 25/17, 25/7 in semi-final while Chamil entered final by taming Brinly Wickramasinghe 25/15, 25/5 in semis.

Chalani had an easy win over Arosha Wickramasinghe in her semi-final game, 25/4, 25/2 while Yashika beat Madhushika Kanchanamala 25/19, 25/23 in the other semi-final.

The men's consolation final for the third place was won by Viraj Fernando beating Brinly Wickramasinghe while the women's third place went on to Madhushika Kanchanamala who defeated Arosha Wickramasinghe in closely contested tree sets 25/01, 23/25, 25/20.