Sachin Dias, Thilini Hendahewa clinch historic win in India

Sri Lanka’s Sachin Dias and Thilini Hendahewa overcame India’s M.R. Arjun and Treesa Jolly 21-16, 22-20 in a final that lasted 36 minutes to clinch the Mixed Doubles title at the Odisha Open Super 100 badminton tournament in Cuttack on Sunday.

The victory for the duo is considered as one of their biggest career wins and also a historic win for the Sri Lanka.

“This is the first Super 100 championship title won by Sri Lanka. We are so proud of our achievement,” Dias said after the final.

“We also competed in the Syed Modi India International 2022 before coming here. We reached the pre-quarters there. Both of these tournaments which we competed are of the highest calibre and are top ranking tournaments,” Hendahewa said.

“I would like to thank the Sport Minister Namal Rajapaksa, the Sports Ministry, Sri Lanka Badminton and its President Rohan de Silva, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva and the Infantry Regiment where I’m currently employed – for the immense support they have extended to help me reach new heights in sport,” Dias said.

“Also I would like to thank the National Olympic Committee and Sunmatch for their support,” Hendahewa said. Prior to Sunday’s event, Dias, partnered by national champion Buwaneka Goonethilleke, reached the semi-finals of the Men’s Doubles but failed to advance after going down to Malaysia’s Nur Mohomed Azriyn Ayub and Lim Khim Wah.

Before the tournament in Cuttack, Dias and Hendahewa also competed in the Syed Modi India International 2022 – another top event in the Asian Badminton calendar from 18-23 January.

They were eliminated in the pre-quarter-finals after losing to France’s William Villeger and Anne Tran (25-27, 14-21) in a tough battle.

The Odisha Open saw 14-year-old Unnati Hooda making history by becoming the youngest-ever Indian to win a BWF Super 100 tournament when she clinched the women’s singles title. The men’s singles crown, meanwhile, went to 21-year-old Kiran George.