I did Sri Lanka proud by winning a gold, says Viren

Sri Lankan champion shuttler Viren Nettasinghe who created history by winning a gold medal at the Bangladesh International Challenge Tournament in Dhaka said; “This victory means everything to me and my country. It’s a testament to hard work, resilience, and the unwavering support of everyone who believed in me,”.

Viren, the youngest Sri Lankan shuttler to ever earn direct Olympic qualification for last Paris Olympics once again proved his class as he created history yet again by overcoming the much fancied and tournament favourite Xiaodong Sheng of Canada. Viren, rated No.4 at the Bangladesh competition, overcame the No.3 seed Sheng in straight sets, after a stiff battle which made two straight sets but from the start both shuttlers fought hard to win the title.

A product of St Peters College Bambalapitiya 20 year old Nettasinghe always dedicated and his commitment to the sport to get success. His father Roshan always backed his son while most of the overseas tournaments his father serves as mentor and a coach to young Viren.

Actually the semi final between Viren Nettasinghe and Viatnam shuttler Le Duc Phat who also the top seed of the tournament was more competitive and both shuttlers were previous Olympions and also key attraction of the tournament. But Viren was able to defeat the Vietnam shuttler in two straight sets to enter the final with more confidence.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka Women’s Doubles pair Isuri Attanayake and Sithumi de Silva secured the bronze medal at this tournament and pair lost to Malaysian pair in the semi finals.

A total of 12 shuttlers turned out at the Yonex-Sunrise Bangladesh International Challenge 2024 representing Sri Lanka, of them were seven boys and five girls, who competed under Men’s and Women’s Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles. A total of 228 shuttlers from 24 countries are in contention at the five-day tournament conducted by the Bangladesh Badminton Federation and sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation.