Nimsadi wins U-13 girl’s singles at Junior Carrom Nationals

Nimsadi Laknara of Anula Vidyalaya clinched the Under-13 Girl’s Singles contest at the 12th Junior National Carrom Championship worked off at the Carrom Federation of Sri Lanka (CFSL) headquarters in Maharagama yesterday.

Laknara recorded a thrilling 25-17 win in the one- setter final against Sumalya Vidanagama of Dharmapala Vidyalaya Pannipitiya to win her first major title of the year. Laknara thrashed Nuwanthika Sanjeewani in the semi-final and losing finalist Vidanagama had to overcome a stiff challenge from Vihanga Jinujji by 25-20 in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile Udesh Chandima and Pamedha Mendis qualified for the Under-19 Boy’s Singles final while Royalists Mohamed Saeed and Anas Ahmed reached the Under17 Boy’s final after the respective semi-finals played yesterday. The finals of both age categories will be played next Saturday.

Chandima of St. John’s Nugegoda overcame Manuka Ashen of Royal College by two straight sets, 25-17 and 25-4 in the first semi-final. But the second semi-final between Mendis of Prince of Wales’ and Abhishek Jayawardene of Royal stretched out as a three- setter thriller. Though Jayawardene claimed the first set after a thrilling battle by 25-16, Mendis bounced back to win the remaining sets by 25-2 and 25-24.

In the Under-17 Boy’s Singles semi-finals Saeed beat Dilusha Dilrujith in straight sets by 25-6 and 25-9 without much hassle. But the second semi-final between Ahmed and Vibhavi Charithma of St. John’s went down to the last wire. Charithma thrashed Ahmed in the first set 25-8 but the eventual winner handed him an unforgettable bashing by winning the last two sets at 25-7 and 25-4. Today the Under-21 Boy’s Doubles and the Under-17 Girls Doubles will be played up to semi-finals.