Royal schoolboy Hilmy (Men) Yasika (Women) Slice National champs
Shaheed Hilmy
Royal schoolboy Shaheed Hilmy created a major upset at the Grand Slam Carrom Championship when he defeated defending National Champion Chamil Cooray 2-1 (25/14, 5/25, 25/10) to register his first National level victory.
While a schoolboy won the Men’s Championship, in the Women’s final Yasika Rahubadda defeated reigning National champion Joseph Roshita 2-0 (25/14, 25/16). After the 50th National Championship 30 Slicers, Men and Women, qualified for the Championship, based on the latest rankings. The Championship was worked off from March 17-19, at the Sri Lanka Carrom Federation Headquarters, Kohuwela.
Winner Shaeed had in 4 Grand Slams (Frame completed at 1st turn), while Chamil Cooray had 2 Grand Slams. A total of 14 Grand Slams (3 White and 11 Black) were performed at this highly contested tournament, with 2 Grand Slams performed by Women Slicers. The most noteworthy was the Black Slam performed by 14-year-old Tashmila Kavindi of Mahamaya Balika Vidyalaya, Nugegoda.
Yasika Rahubadda
The other Grand Slam performers were Shaeed Hilmy (4), Chamil Cooray (2), Nishantha Fernando, Suraj Maduwantha, Udesh Chandima, Orameda Mendis, M. Sheriffdeen, Prabath Yatawara, Joseph Roshita and Tashmila Kavindi 1 each.
Positions:
- Men - (1) Shaheed Himy, (2) Chamil Dharshana Cooray, (3) Nishantha Fernando, (4) Suraj Maduwantha,
(5) Anas Ahamed, (6) Udesh Chaminda, (7) Prameda Mendis, (8) M. Sheriffdeen
- Women - (1) Yasika Rahubadda,
(2) Joseph Roshita, (3) Chalani Lakmali, (4) Maduwanthi Gunadasa, (5) Tashmila Kavindi, (6) Rebecca Dalrine,
(7) Maduka Dilshani, (8) Lihini Angelika