Chamil Cooray regains National carrom crown

Anuradha Abeysekera

Experienced Chamil Cooray once again clinched the National Carrom title beating first-time finalist Brindley Wickremasinghe in easy straight-set final (25/14, 25/16) as the 45th Carrom Nationals concluded at the Carrom Federation head quarters, Maharagama recently.

Brindley in a surprise victory defeated four-time National Champion M.T.M.Hilmy in his quest to book a berth in singles final.

Hilmy created the biggest upset in the tournament as he beat the world singles champion Nishantha Fernando earlier before he went down to Brindley in the semi-final. Hilmy fought hard to make a comeback, sliced exceptionally well but was unfortunate to lose to Brindley who managed to overcome Hilmy at the very crucial stage.

M.Sheriffdeen, the number-three ranker lost in the first round of the rankers’ event to Charith Madushanka.

In the women's singles, Chalani Lakmali Liyanaage played her usual calm and cool game to overcome defending champion Joseph Roshita in her quest to women's final (25/6, 18/25, 25/0).

Roshita lost her concentration mainly in the last set and lost the final set without scoring. Yasika Rahubaddha, a former National Champion who is back in the scene played well to overcome Madushika Kanchanamala with ease to win the third place (25/12, 25/16).

The 45th Carrom Nationals was packed with full of surprises and the results show that there is a lot of enthusiasm among local carrom players after Sri Lanka's recent world title victory.

Nandana Gunatilleke, a former junior singles champion in the seventies was the chief guest at the award ceremony and prize distributions of six last year's local tournaments which postponed due to 6th World Carrom Championship were also held along with the 45th Nationals award ceremony.

[Final results]

Men's singles:

1. Chamil Cooray, 2. Brindley Wickramasinghe 3. MTM Hilmy, 4. Dimal Senaratne, 5. D.N. Fernando

Women's singles:

1. Chalani Lakmali, 2. Joseph Roshita, 3. Yasika Rahubddha, 4. Madushika Kanchanamala, 5. Sashika Sandamali

Men's doubles:
Winners - M. Sherifdeen / MTM Hilmy, Runner-up - DN Fernando / Lahiru Eshan

Women's doubles:

Winners- Joseph Roshita / Madushika Kanchanamala, Runner-up - Chalani Lakmali / Arosha Wickramasinghe

Mixed doubles:

Winners- Dimal Senaratne / Chalani Lakmali, Runner-up - Lahiru Eshan / Joseph Roshita

Veterans’ singles:
Winner- Kaviranga Perera, Runner-up - Merryl Nanayakkara