Shuttlers aim to hog the limelight

Badminton in Sri Lanka might not enjoy super status, but the players and officials are aiming at associating themselves with the type of glory that the country’s cricketers have achieved at international level.

Interestingly, the Sri Lanka Badminton headquarters is situated just opposite the headquarters of Sri Lanka Cricket, at Maitland Crescent.

These shuttlers see the cricketers come and go in their flashy vehicles and the publicity they get on television, all because cricket in the country received a shot in the arm after the 1996 Cricket World Cup.

The upcoming South Asian Games (SA Games), presents a great opportunity for the sport to benefit from if the players win a rich haul of medals. Sri Lanka’s coach K. S. Pushpakumara is of the opinion that the players are aiming at gold medals at the next edition of the games which will be held in Bangladesh from February 4 to 28.

At the 2006 edition of the Games held in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka managed to win two silver medals (Men’s and women’s team events) and four bronze medals in the individual events. According to coach Pushpakumara, the reason for the success was the team having ample time on their hands to prepare. "We also used a lot of scientific training," said Pushpakumara, who was entrusted to train the players at the last SA Games. For the record, Pushpakumara is a former national player and was the Sri Lanka coach at the SA Games in 1996, 1997, 2000, 2002 and 2006. He is also armed with a diploma obtained from the National Institute of Sports in Patiala, India and is also a BWF (World) Academy qualified coach.

He sees the SA Games as one of the best opportunities for Sri Lankan players to win medals in their own region. He also rates Sri Lanka at second place behind India in terms of how the badminton players have performed this year, in South Asia.

He is coaching the national players after a lapse of three years and observes that his charges have made good progress. "The young players have received a lot of exposure at foreign tournaments and it’s good to have the Asian Under-16 gold medal winning pair in the team to boost our chances of winning medals. The seniors too have made improvements and this is reflected in their game plan, fitness, accuracy and speed," he said.

He said that the Karunaratne brothers (Niluka, Dinuka and Diluka), carried Sri Lanka’s hopes in the men’s team, in terms of winning medals. "The doubles pair of R. S. Dhahanayake and Hasitha Chanaka are shaping up well and should do well in the tournament," he said.

Commenting on the women’s team, he said veteran player Chandrika De Silva had brought in a lot of experience to the side and a lot was expected from her. Pushpakumara, however, had a word of caution for De Silva, saying that she was playing in too many events and she should concentrate on a few events instead. The other promising women’s players in the side are Achini Ratnasiri and Upuli Samanthika Weerasinghe and Olympian Thilini Jayasinghe.

Members of the Sri Lanka team have also been blessed to have the services of Netherlands’ national coach Martin Van Doremaler who is working with the players. Doremaler, according to Pushpakumara, is expected to fine tune the training of the players. Pushpakumara said that Doremaler was happy with the progamme he had drawn up for the players.

The physical fitness of the players is handled by renowned fitness trainer Mohotilal Jayatilake and the manager of the team is Squadron Leader Amal Dias, who is also a member of the National Pool Management Committee.

The Sri Lanka team:

Niluka Karunaratne, Dinuka Karunaratne, Nuwan Hettiarachchi, Diluka Karunaratne, R. S. Dahanayake, and Hasitha Chanaka (Men). Achini Ratnasiri, Thilini Jayasinghe, Chandrika de Silva, Lekha Shehani, Upuli Samanthika and Nadeesha Gayathri (Women).
(www.island.lk)

Chanaka aims for international medal

Chanaka aims for international medal

Great sportspersons have amazing life stories and Hasitha Chanaka, a top level badminton player in the country has his own.

Although it’s in badminton that Chanaka has made a name for himself he has many facets to his life.

It was he who created the five rupee coin and the thousand rupee note that were published in 2007 after Sri Lanka’s cricket team emerged runners-up of the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean.

Furthermore, he also opened batting with Upul Tharanga for the Darmasoka College cricket team and went onto captain the future Sri Lankan Test opener.

Often sports prevents athletes from pursuing their studies successfully, but not Chanaka. He got through his Advanced Level Examination with flying colours that too in Science stream and qualified for Sri Jayewardenepura University.

But he gave up that to pursue his interests in badminton and joined Sampath Bank, without whose support he says that excellence in the sport wouldn’t have been possible.

Teaming up with Rajitha Dahanayake, Chanaka came up with some stunning performances in the recently concluded National Badminton Championship.

The pair defeated the two brothers Diluka and Dinuka Karunaratne, who have lots of experience having won several national titles. Incidentally, the two brothers were declared the champion and the runner-up respectively in the singles event.

Chanaka who has represented Sri Lanka on several overseas tournaments is yet to win an international medal, but at the age of 25, there’s no doubt in his mind that he will be able to win a medal soon.

The highlight of his career was helping Sri Lanka to attain a higher international rank after taking part in Sudirman Cup in China last year under the captaincy of Thilini Jayasinghe where the team secured the 31st position recovering from number 36.

Chanaka said that his next aim is to enable the country win a medal in an international event.

"I am disappointed about certain things that I did in my life. But you can’t change the past. At the end of the day, I am happy with what I have achieved now," Chanaka said in an interview recently.

"I must thank the management of the Sampath Bank and the Marketing Division of the bank for helping me out to reach this level. Without their help, I wouldn’t have been able to come this far."

"I must thank my coaches as well namely Nishanthi Withanage, Kamani Silva, Danesh Mallayawadu, Sanjaya Sumanasiri, Pradeep Welagedara and Mothilal Jayathilake". Concluded Chanaka
(www.island.lk)

Sports Minister ratifies badminton selections

The Ministry of Sports has ratified the names of 12 players who were picked to represent Sri Lanka at the upcoming South Asian Games to be hosted by Bangladesh, this month.

According to a release issued by the Badminton Federation of Sri Lanka, the players named in the national team for the game are: Niluka Karunaratne, Dinuka Karunaratne, Nuwan Hettiarachchi, Diluka Karunaratne, R.S.Dahanayake, Hasitha Chanaka (Men), Achini Ratnasiri, Thilini Jayasinghe, Chandrika de Silva, Lekha Shehani, Upuli Samanthika, Nadeesha Gayathri. (RN)
(www.island.lk)

Niluka Karunaratne wins men’s singles crown

Badminton finds new queen Ratnasiri

Despite all the gloom in the badminton circles, the 57th National badminton Championships produced some sparks with the emergence of teenager Achini Ratnasiri as the new women’s singles champion.

Just a few days before this much looked forward to tournament there was chaos in badminton with some players refusing to contest trials for this month’s South Asian Games. But then all the top players in the country showed keen enthusiasm to play in the nationals which is considered the mother of all domestic tournaments.

Ratnasiri, a 16-year-old lass, ended the reign of veteran Chandrika de Silva in the women’s singles finals. Ratnasiri won 21-15, 21-15.

Stiff competition was expected to come De Silva’s way from Ratnasiri as the latter is already established in the badminton scene, despite her raw age. Ratnasiri last year teamed up with Upuli Samanthika and rewrote the Asian badminton record books by winning the gold medal in the girls under 16 doubles final.

Ratnasiri was in control from the first game itself and got the better of De Silva who looked drained of all energy, by the time of the women’s singles final. De Silva took part in the women’s singles, women’s doubles and the mixed doubles and many thought this was a little too much, considering her age. For the record De Silva had, till last year’s nationals, lost a singles final just once in her illustrious career during which she has bagged the singles crown 11 times. De Silva however, got some consolation when she won the mixed doubles finals when she teamed up with Niluka Karunaratne to beat Dinuka Karunaratne and Lekha Shehani 21-15, 21-11.

Niluka Karunaratne showed he is the king in the men’s category by winning the singles event for the ninth time. Karunaratne demolished his younger sibling Dinuka 21-14, 21-14 in a one-sided affair. It is interesting to see whether Karunaratne can make the ideal progress as a top player due to the lack of competition for him in the local scene. Karunratne will be one of Sri Lanka’s best bets at the upcoming SA Games to be held in Bangladesh.

The men’s doubles event produced the sparks at the finals which was witnessed by a sparse but appreciative crowd.

Hasitha Chanaka (an old boy of Dhamasoka Ambalangoda) and R.S.Dahanayake (An old boy of Dharmaraja College Kandy) teamed up to beat the number one ranked pair in the tournament, Diluka Karunaratne and Dinuka Karunratne (Brothers). Chanaka and Dhahanayake won 21-18, 23-21 in thrilling fashion, which was possible because they played attacking badminton.

Asian gold medal winning pair Achini Ratnasiri and Upuli Samanthika teamed up to beat Subodha Dhahanayake and Gayani Perera 21-5, 21-15 to win the women’s doubles finals.

There was a drop in the total number of matches at the nationals compared to past editions of the tournament. But the organizers of the tournament stressed that the important fact was that all top rated players took part in the tournament which was played over a period of four days at the Royal College Sports Complex, in Reid Avenue.

The players received certificates and medals but no cash prizes like in the past.
(www.island.lk)

Achini Ratnasiri badminton’s newest phenomenon

Achini Ratnasiri badminton’s newest phenomenon

Every now and then, there comes a sportsman or sportswoman who truly gains from playing a sport - a personality so modest, so respectful, so devoid of any hubris and yet intense, determined and confident.

This is Achini Ratnasiri the youngest National Badminton Champion at fifteen years of age. This O level student of Visakha Vidyalaya stands with calmness written on her chiseled features while her whole stance emanates energy. The outward calmness disguises the coiled up energy that is about to spring.

She has just defeated the National Champion of ten years – 35 year- old veteran, Chandrika de Silva in straight sets at the final of Sri Lanka’s National Badminton Championships. Of her game in the final – Achini says ‘I was confident of winning’.

She had a lot of encouragement from her school coach Danesh who told her that she was faster, stronger and definitely could play without making any mistakes.

As the game started, Achini says that she was very surprised by the many mistakes that Chandrika was making. But then she immediately covers it with -‘I don’t know if I am getting better or that she is losing her touch after winning so many matches in so many years.’

Anyhow the time has come for a young new champion to take over. She also beat Olympian Thilini Jayasinghe in the semi-finals. She widens her eyes in surprise at her own performance in three sets against Thilini where the fast paced game that she played helped her win.

Her family and up-bringing refuse to allow her to gloat or boast about her incredible achievement at such a young age. She is very matter of fact about her win. She does not have a personal coach. Never has had one. She used to watch her older sister Ruwini Chathurika play badminton at Lindsay Girls’ School every practice session. Looking at her, the teacher in charge told her mother to start off the nine year old Achini on badminton.

She played three times a week with Lindsay Girls’ School’s coach Srimal Aponso until she joined Visakha Vidyalaya last year. Now, as a member of the National pool, coach Pushpakumara and physical trainer Jayathilake play a big role in helping her develop her game. She is playing better than ever before. Her weakness in her short serve has almost been ironed out.

‘My strength’ she says with a smile is the ‘chop’ shot. She practices very hard at it and is the ‘chop specialist’. This shot helps speed up her game and makes it very difficult for an opponent who does not have too much stamina.

About her game, Achini says with child-like intensity ‘my being left-handed is definitely a big advantage.’ Usually most badminton players have a weak back-hand and the opponent tries to use that weakness to their advantage. In her case, however, it has always been very difficult for the opponent to figure out that what they think is her back hand is really her forehand.

Badminton is also very much a mind-game. You need to assess the strengths and weaknesses of your opponent as you play. Achini says that usually when she looks at the way a person walks and stands, she can make out what kind of player her opponent is.

In Sri Lanka badminton is fast gaining National and International recognition. That they even ‘went on various International coaching camps and have won gold medals for the doubles at the Asian Junior Championships in 2008 is because of the interest and support that the new President of the Sri Lanka Badminton Association Ranjith de Silva has shown’ says Achini.

Achini is the Under 17 National Age group Triple Crown champion as well. (Winner of singles, doubles and mixed doubles) and is sponsored by Yonex with regard to her racquets and shoes. However, in Sri Lanka, playing badminton alone cannot take you far in life. ‘Studies are very important’ says young Achini.

‘I would love to play in the Olympics and World Championships but my O levels loom in the horizon. I do want to get a gold medal at the SAAF Games in February in Bangladesh. But as I am young and inexperienced, maybe I may not do so but that does not deter me. I will use this experience well till I can get a gold medal for my country. I will watch the other countries play and see if and how they are better’ says Achini determinedly.

She knows that she has to do well in her O levels and then Advanced levels. She does not have a mobile phone and does not watch TV. She wants to become an accountant but is keen to get a gold medal in a world championship before she settles down to a regular life of making a living. Badminton has taught her modesty and gratitude. Most of all gratitude to those including her Principal, teachers, coaches and parents who have helped her achieve National status.

Achini is very unlike the unscrupulous ‘I must win come what may’ sportsman with a killer instinct that one usually sees in a young person who has become the Number One.

(www.dailynews.lk)

Upuli Samanthika (In front) and Achini Ratnasiri

Upuli Samanthika (In front) and Achini Ratnasiri who won the women’s doubles final in action at the Badminton Nationals which were worked off at the Royal College Sports Complex in Reid Avenue yesterday.
(www.island.lk)
(Pic by Kamal Bogoda)

Badminton National Championships Teenager Ratnasiri and Karunaratne dazzle

Badminton National Championships
Teenager Ratnasiri and Karunaratne dazzle

Teenager Achini Ratnasiri and Niluka Karunaratne stamped their class as the best players when they won the singles crowns in the women’s and men’s tournaments respectively at the finals of the Badminton Nationals, worked off at the Royal College Sports Complex yesterday.

Ratnasiri’s win over the expereiced Chandrika de Silva was expected at the manner in which she played in the final. After outplaying her opponent in both sets (21-14,21-14) Ratnasiri said, "I am very happy to have won the singles and it was possible because I made very few mistakes today".

She thanked all her coaches who have helped her todate and said it wouldn’t have been possible to have made the mark if not for all of them. Ratnasiri is one of the yougest players to win the women’s singles nationals at age 15. The youngest player to win the women’s singles nationals is Namal de Silva who emerged champion in 1960 at the age of 13 years and eight months.

Ratnasiri earlier added another feather in her cap when she partnered Upuli Samanthika to win the women’s doubles finals against Subodha Dhahanayake and Gayani Perera. Ratnasiri and Samanthika won 21-5 and 21-5.

The experienced Niluka Karunaratne made short work out of his younger brother Dinuka when the two battled it out in the men’s singles finals. Niluka won quite easily recording a score of 21-14, 21-14.

The men’s doubles event produced a lot of excitement with Hasitha Chanaka and R.S.Dhahanayake playing their hearts out to beat Dinuka Karunaratne and Diluka Karunaratne. Chanaka and Dhahanayake won 21-18, 23-21.

The mixed doubles, which was worked off on Tuesday, was won by Chandrika de Silva and Niluka Karunaratne who beat Lekha Shehani and Dinuka Karunaratne.
(www.island.lk)

Sensational Achini prevails

Sensational Achini prevails

Fifteen year old Visakha Vidyalaya school girl Achini Ratnasiri created a sensation at the 57th National Badminton Championships that was concluded at the Royal College Sports Complex when she defeated the more experienced Chandrika De Silva 21/14, 21/14 to clinch the women’s singles title.

In the men’s singles final, for Niluka Karunaratne blood was not thicker than water when he defeated his brother Diluka 21/14, 21/14.

Furthermore, Achini Ratnasiri went on to pocket a double when she teamed up with Upuli Samanthika to beat the Subodha Dahanayake and Gayani Perera in two sets to win the women’s mixed doubles.

Niluka Karunaratne also made sure of a double when he and Chandrika De Silva beat Dinuka Karunaratne and Lekha Shehani to win the mixed doubles.

Results

Men’s singles – Niluka Karunaratne beat

Dinuka Karunaratne 21/14, 21/14.

Men’s doubles – Hasitha Chanaka and R.S. Dahanayake beat Dinuka Karunaratne and Diluka Karunaratne 21/18, 23/21.

Women’s singles – Achini Ratnasiri beat Chandrika De Silva 21/14, 21/14.

Women’s doubles – Achini Ratnasiri and Upuli Samanthika beat Subodha Dahanayake and Gayani Perera 21/5, 21/15.

Mixed doubles – Chandrika De Silva and

Niluka Karunaratne beat Dinuka Karunaratne and Lekha Shehani 21/15, 21/11.

(www.dailymirror.lk)

Achini ousts top seed Chandrika

Achini ousts top seed Chandrika

Young sensation Achini Ratnasiri came up with an outstanding performance to beat top seed Chandrika de Silva to be crowned the new women's singles champion in the 58th annual Senior Badminton Nationals Championship which concluded yesterday at the Royal College Sports Complex. Achini managed to beat top shuttler Thilini Jayasinghe in the semi finals mostly played a defensive game and was involved in several rallies. Her placements were superb and she displayed a wide array of strokes including some wonderful drop shots and fake smashes which were played to perfection. The left handed Achini won the game 21/14, 21/14 in straight sets.

Meanwhile the undisputed king of Badminton Niluka Karunarathne was once again on song as he bagged the men's singles title by beating his younger brother Dinuka Karunarathne 21/14, 21/14. Niluka played some unplayable drop shots to tire his opponent and used his favourite smash shots to gain points. The pick of the games was the men's doubles final as top seeds Diluka and Dinuka Karunarathne met rookies R.S Dahanayake and Hasith Chanaka in a fast paced game.

Hasith and R.S Dahanayake combined together proved to be a lethal force to reckon with as they were ruthless on the attack and their defense was difficult to penetrate. They won the first set 21/18. In the second set both teams were in fine rhythm and were involved in several rallies to gain points. It was 20/20 and a simple error from Hasith Chanaka helped Diluka and Dinuka to gain a valuable point to move the score to 21/20 and have the match in their favour.

The pendulum swung both ways but R.S Dahanayake and Hasith got a lucky break and a delightful smash shot sealed their victory. The final scoreline read as 23/21 and a jubilant Hasith and R.S were crowned as the new men's doubles champions. In the mixed doubles finals the experienced duo of Niluka Karunarathne and Chandrika de Silva won the game in straight sets 21/15, 21/11 against Dinuka Karunarathne and Lekha Shehani.

Preethi Jayawardena the Managing Director of Chemanex PLC was the chief guest for the prize giving.

(www.dailynews.lk)

Rising shuttle star - Lekha

Rising shuttle star - Lekha

The stage was set for a grand final of the women's open singles event in the SSC Badminton tournament 2009. In the finals 16 year old young sensation Lekha Shehani was taking on one of Sri Lanka's finest and most experienced women's champions Chandrika De Silva.

Although Lekha has been in so many under 19 finals and won them this was easily the biggest match she had faced in her life. The large crowd,the cheering and playing against her childhood idol Chandrika De Silva didn't help her to ease out her nerves.

The first set was a closely contested one although Chandrika won 21/16. Lekha was determined in the 2nd set and was more disciplined and she won it convincingly 21/11. Even Lekha coudnt believe the scoreline 21/11 and the fact that she beat the champion with a large margin of points. In the 3rd set which was the tie breaker the score was 20/20. The atmosphere was electric as not even the most optimist fan would have imagined such a tight nail biting finish.

The crowd were ecstatic because of the wonderful performance by Lekha against top seed Chandrika and they were screaming Come on Lekha, come on........Alas experience proved to be the decisive factor as Chandrika won the set 22/20 and eventually won the game but the crowd's favourite was the rookie Lekha.

Lekha who is a student of Our Lady of Victories Convent is not an overnight star.

The way she got involved in Badminton is an interesting story. In 2001 a 8 year old Lekha was forced to select a sport and she accidentally chose Badminton.

After seeing her performance in the first tournament Miss Himali Fernando who was apparently Lekha's first coach asked Lekha's father to bring her for practices because of the potential she displayed even as a 8 year old.

Lekha still remembers Miss Himali who taught her the basics in Badminton and is forever grateful for her. Lekha is the eldest in the family and has 2 younger brothers and a sister. In her first international tournament in Singapore in the year 2005 Lekha managed to go through to the quarter finals.

Lekha has maintained a flawless record in the all island Junior Nationals by winning the under 13 championship in 2004 and 2005, under 15 championship in 2006 and under 17 championship in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Lekha enjoyed a fantastic season in 2009. She was crowned the triple champion as she bagged the under 19 singles,doubles and mixed doubles at the Junior Nationals. She continued her purple patch as she made a clean sweep in the SSC open by winning the under 19 singes and doubles championships.

Lekha stole the spotlight and created sporting headlines as she registered a shock win over Olympic player and top shuttler Thilini Jayasinghe.

She also came very close to winning the women's open and the mixed doubles along with her doubles partner Diluka Karunarathne, who acts as her present coach as well. According to Lekha the reasons for her tremendous successes recently is mainly because of the intensive training she receives as a member of the pool for the South Asian games.

Her current coach Diluka Karunarathne has helped her to enhance her talent but the biggest influence and the turning point of her career was the physical training given by S. Jayathilaka who is the current national physical trainer. It has helped her to improve on her stamina and endurance which is very important in winning rallies.

Although Lekha is a good all round player her favorite shot undoubtedly is the smash. She also mentioned that she has to improve in her back hand so that she can be a complete player like,her favourite player, king of badminton Niluka Karunarathne. Lekha prefers to play the defensive game and likes to tire her opponent by having several rallies and then go on the offensive to gain points.

Not only is Lekha a champion badminton player but has also represented her school at the provincial level in Athletics. She is the current games captain in school where she has been an inspiration for youngsters to take on Badminton as a sport.

Lekha's younger sister and brother have also followed the footsteps of their big sister as they also have been successful in Badminton.

In fact her younger brother was the runner up in the under 13 badminton championships this year.

Lekha is amiably supported by her beloved parents,her school principal Sister Sujeewa Nonis and vice principal cum mistress in charge of sports Sister Priyantha Mudalige. Lekha's immediate dream for the future is to perform well in the upcoming all important South Asian Games.

"I am not at all disappointed,with a bit more experience and training I could win the title" those were the courageous words of Lekha Shehani after the 3 grueling sets of intense stroke play against Chandrika de Silva.

(www.dailynews.lk)

Renu Chandrika: Dominating Women’s Badminton in SL

Sri Lankan cricket saw its most memorable moment when Arjuna Ranatunga led his team to the 1996 World Cup beating Sri Lanka’s ‘old enemy’ Australia in the final in Lahore and, in the same year, a girl left the same sport, cricket, so as to take to another sport. She is Renu Chandrika de Silva who took to badminton after leaving more popular game of cricket.

It is not the time to debate about her choice between badminton and Cricket but it’s time to look at her badminton career so far, which has brought honour to her mother country on several occasions.

Chandrika de Silva has won the national title on 11 occasions including her this year’s win and her record is the highest for a local player.

Beginning of Carrier

"I began my carrier in 1982," said Chandrika when "Sunday Island – Sportstar"interviewed her recently.

"I had my basic education at Swarnapali Maha Vidyalaya, Anuradhapura. When I was studying at grade three or four, I was lucky to have my first experience in the sport of badminton. That was in 1982."

A way back in 1986, Chandrika participated in her first ever top level competition at the North-East Open Badminton Championship. There, she won in Girls Singles.

Chandrika’s victory in Javelin Throw at the All-Island Schools Athletic Championship in 1993 shows that her dominance wasn’t only in badminton those days. She was a fine athlete, cricketer, a volleyball player and a netball player.

Golden moments

The veteran Lankan badminton player then saw her golden moments at various international meets.

In 2005, she became champion in the Singles representing Sri Lanka in the Nepal International Satellite Championship where many of the other well-known Asian countries took part, such as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Teaming up with Olympian Thilini Jayasinghe, Chandrika qualified to the top eight in the Asian Badminton Championship in 2005. Asian Championship is one of the toughest championships you could find due to the participation of world No.1 China.

She also qualified to the top sixteen in the Commonwealth Games in 2002 held in Manchester, United Kingdom.

SAG Games

The veteran’s talents have earned a gold, silver and bronze medal for Sri Lanka in the South Asian Championship. She won a SAG gold medal in Mixed Doubles in the 1997 SAG games held at India. She teamed up with Thusara Edrisinghe to win that medal.

In 2004 and 2006, teaming up Diluka Karunaratna, she won a SAG Silver and Bronze respectively.

Apart from these international Championships, Chandrika have brought glory for Sri Lanka on many other occasions.

"Comparing to our early days, the players today have more facilities than us but I think our coaching must improve. If we are thinking about an Asian medal or any other international medal, we must check players weakness personally and treat them individually to see an improvement on Sri Lankan badminton," Chandrika added.

This year’s Nationals –

Chandrika de Silva exhibited her experience and apart from defending her singles title, she bagged two more events as well.

Along with the singles and mixed doubles, Chandrika also won the women’s doubles securing all three titles possible for a single player

(http://www.island.lk)

Achini Ratnasiri, heir apparent to the Badminton Crown

At just 15 years Achini Ratnasiri has made a tremendous impact in the local Badminton scene. To say that this Lindsay Girls school student is loaded with immense talent would be to make the greatest understatement ever. Also to this slip of a girl, reputations of her opponents matters very little as she displayed in the semi-finals of the recently concluded National Championship when she outsmarted Tillini Jayasinghe, Sri Lanka’s sole representative at the Beijing Olympics in Badminton.

Achini was first introduced to the Badmintion court by her sister, also a talented player. She was soon to be an integral part of her school's Badminton team right from the under 10 level where she displayed immense dexterity and a wide array of both attacking and defensive shots to help her school become champs in the all-island school's meet. Her amazing talent and court craft can be gauged from the fact that from 2003 to 2008 she has won the Junior Nationals in the U-11, U-13 and U-15 levels singles as well as the doubles titles with her regular partner Upuli Samanthika.

Venturing to the senior Nationals in 2007 Achini then just 14 years of age did creditably well to come to the quarter finals where she lost to the ultimate singles champ Chandrika de Silva. She went one better when she and her doubles partner Upuli Samanthika clinehed the runner-up spot in the women's doubles.

Also in 2007, playing in the Ariyadasa Silva Memorial Meet Achini went on to bag 5 titles winning the U-14 singles and mixed doubles titles with Rakitha Perera. The open singles and women's doubles with Upuli and the mixed doubles with R.S. Dhanayake. 2008 also saw Achini annex the Triple Crown at the Junior Nationals winning the singles, Womens doubles and the mixed doubles titles.

Then in the Nationals Achini after dispatching Olympian Tillini Jayasinghe ended up as runner up to Chandrika de Silva. She also went on to help her school become champions in the U-19 all island schools tournament Achini has also represented Sri Lanka at Junior and Senior level starting with the "Cheers You" tournament in 2006 held in Singapore where she displayed her talents combining with Upuli Samanthika to lift the silver medal in the women's doubles. In 2008 she also represented Sri Lanka at the Junior Commonwealth Youth Games held in India, the world Junior meet also held in India, the U-16 Asian Junior meet at Brunei and the Uber cup Meet in Vietnam.

Achini trains Monday to Saturday with Wednesday off, mostly at the Royal Sports complex and her stupendous talents have been fine turned by 3 coaches namely Sirimal Aponso her first coach and Chintake Fernando, her school coach and also by Pradeep Welagedera the National Coach.

She is extremely grateful to her parents, sister, her Principal, Ms Eroasha de Silva her teacher in charge at school, all other teachers and friends for the extreme support they give her to advance day by day in her chosen sport which has brought her to the limelight. In conclusion she said that given adequate training, she is confident that she would be able to reach Asian Standards in the not too distant future.(http://www.dailymirror.lk)