Triple-crown sensation Rashmi shines at MBA All-Island Badminton Championships

Star Shuttler Rashmi Mudalige bagged a triple crown, as Savinaka Weerasekara earned the Men’s Open Singles title at the Mercantile Badminton Association (MBA) All-Island Open Badminton Championships 2025 concluded at the MBA Indoor began in Colombo on Sunday.

Rashmi stood out among over 1200 shuttlers who vied for honours as she claimed the Women’s Open Singles, Women’s Open Doubles and Mixed Open Doubles title, marking her career highlight as a promising international prospect. She easily overcame Suhasni Vidanage in straight sets (21/17 and 21/12) in the Women’s Open Singles final after clinching the Women’s Open Doubles title partnering with Varangana Jayawardena in straight sets (21/16 and 22/20) in an absorbing final. Her triple crown was completed with the victorious rally in the Mixed Open Doubles, partnering with Lochana de Silva to overcome the pairing of Thulith Palliyaguru and Panchani Adhikari where they won the match by 2-1 (22/20, 10/21, 21/19).

Savinaka Weerasekara went down against Thilina Rajakaruna in the first set of the Men’s Open Singles final by 25/23, but the eventual winner made a strong comeback to completely dominate his opponent by 21/11 and 21/12 in the following sets to earn his title. Raihan Gusyaputra and David Homer made a grand recovery to beat Alan Kristanto and Marcello Mainaky by 2-1 (16/21, 21/15, 21/15) on their way to clinch the Men’s Open Doubles. Chalana Weerakoon beat Hevindu Tilakasena in straight sets (21/18, 21/7) to become the Men’s Plate Singles winner.  Thidara Irushika won the Boy’s Singles title while Nethmi Ratnayake clinched the Girl’s Singles title in the Under-19 category while Nethil Thewmika and Maneth Theekshana won the Boys’ Under-19 Doubles title against Pamith Attanayake and Thidasa Irushika. The Girls’ Under-19 Doubles title was won by Thiseja Herath and Kethnara Kumarapperuma who beat Dilni Ambalangodage and Ranumi Manage.

Keneth Aruggoda claimed a double crown in the Under-17 category when he beat Senuth Perera to win the Boy’s Singles title and paired up with Dinew Wimalaratne to claim the Boys’ Double title. Sithuli Ranasinghe had to undergo an early setback against Nethmi Wanniarachchi before recording a 2-1 in the Girl’s Singles final, while Vinuthi Ranasinghe and Yenara Wickramasinghe beat seasoned pair Isuri Attanayake and Sithumi de Silva 2-1 to claim the Girls’ Doubles title.

Nithini Sasandhi earned a double crown in the Under-16 category, where she beat Limandi Padma Bandara 2-1 to clinch the Girl’s Singles title and teamed up with Manuli Methara to overcome Miyesi Nethara and Nisheli Samararatne in straight sets in the Girls’ Doubles final. Ranithu Premaratne recorded an easy straight win against Dasindu Peiris to win the Boy’s Singles title, as Udan Abinindu paired up with Dasindu Peiris, overcame Ranithu and Senuda Rajapaksa to claim the Boys’ Doubles title. 

Conducted by the MBA, the annual National Ranking Level 1 tournament is sanctioned by the SLB and was held at two venues in Colombo – the MBA Indoor Courts and the Lumbini College Sports Complex. The championship featured a wide range of events from Under-11 to Under-19 in the Junior category and Over-30 to Over-70 in the Senior category, including Combined Age groups of 100+ for Veterans. However, the main attraction of the competition will be the Open events comprising of Men’s and Women’s Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles, with the losers of Men’s and Women’s Singles from their first games guaranteed a passage to the Plate Segment. 

A combined prize money of Rs. 2,000,000 was up for grabs at the event, in addition to trophies, medals and certificates for the winners, runners-up and semi-finalists of each category while Junior winners received appropriate gifts instead of prize money. The tournament was sponsored by McFoil, Mobil, Li Ning, 3M and GAC.

Results of Finals:

• Men’s Open Singles: Savinaka Weerasekara beat Thilina Rajakaruna 2-1 (23/25, 21/11, 21/12)
• Women’s Open Singles: Rashmi Mudalige beat Suhasni Vidanage 2-0 (21/17, 21/12)
• Men’s Open Doubles: Raihan Gusyaputra/David Homer beat Alan Kristanto/Marcello Mainaky 2-1 (16/21, 21/15, 21/15)
• Women’s Open Doubles: Rashmi Mudalige/Varangana Jayawardena beat Dilni Ambalangodage/Ranumi Manage 2-0 (21/16, 22/20)
• Mixed Open Doubles: Lochana de Silva/Rashmi Mudalige beat Thulith Palliyaguru/Panchali Adhikari 2-1 (22/20, 10/21, 21/19)
• Men’s Plate Singles: Chalana Weerakoon beat Hevindu Tilakasena 2-0 (21/18, 21/7)
• Boy’s Under-19 Singles: Thidasa Irushika beat Reshan Dimbukkuwalage 2-0 (21/15, 21/16)
• Girl’s Under-19 Singles: Nethmi Ratnayake beat Ranumi Manage 2-0 (21/14, 21/9)
• Boys’ Under-19 Doubles: Nethil Thewmika/Maneth Theekshana beat Pamith Attanayake/Thidasa Irushika 2-0 (21/17, 21/18)
• Girls’ Under-19 Doubles: Thiseja Herath/Kethnara Kumarapperuma beat Dilni Ambalangodage/Ranumi Manage 2-0 (22/20, 21/16)
• Boy’s Under-17 Singles: Keneth Aruggoda beat Senuth Perera 2-0 (21/8, 21/13)
• Girl’s Under-17 Singles: Sithuli Ranasinghe beat Nethmi Wanniarachchi 2-1 (14/21, 21/18, 21/17)
• Boys’ Under-17 Doubles: Keneth Aruggoda/Dinew Wimalaratne beat Nimeth Punchihewa/Thamindu Silva 2-0 (21/17, 21/11)
• Girls’ Under-17 Doubles: Vinuthi Ranasinghe/Yenara Wickramasinghe beat Isuri Attanayake/Sithumi de Silva 2-1 (9/21, 21/16, 21/17)
• Boy’s Under-15 Singles: Ranithu Premaratne beat Dasindu Peiris 2-0 (24/20, 21/11)
• Girl’s Under-15 Singles: Nithini Sasandhi beat Limandi Padma Bandara 2-1 (21/16, 21/23, 21/15)
• Boys’ Under-15 Doubles: Udan Abinindu/Dasindu Peiris beat Ranithu Premaratne/Senuda Rajapaksa 2-1 (21/18, 12/21, 21/13)
• Girls’ Under-15 Doubles: Manuli Methara/Nithini Sasandhi beat Miyesi Nethara/Nisheli Samararatne 2-0 (22/20, 21/9)