Fajar was crowned as the Men’s Singles champion while Kleebyeesun emerged Women’s Singles winner as Japan topped the five-day competition with two gold medals, followed by Thailand, who claimed a gold, two silver and two bronze medals.
Malaysia claimed a gold, a silver and two bronze medals as Indonesia won a gold and two bronze medals.
South Korea claimed a silver and three bronze medals, while Sri Lanka’s sole silver medal was clinched by Buwaneka, who won an international medal since 2019. India claimed a solitary bronze medal.
Sri Lanka pinned hopes on Buwaneka, who was the dark horse of the competition, but was outmaneuvered by Indonesian Fajar, who recorded his personal best performance at international level following a straight win the Men’s Singles final.
Silver medalist Buwaneka had Fajar on the edge while leading both sets initially, but gave away points through unforced errors as the Indonesian won the final by 21/18 and 21/13 to earn the gold medal.
Thailand’s Tidapron Kleebyeesun returned to record a shocking 2-1 win against fellow compatriot Lalinrat Chaiwan to clinch the Women’s Singles title, after losing the first set 13/21.
Kleebyeesun, seeded eighth, made a resounding counterattack to thump Chaiwan, seeded second, 21/14 and 21/14 on her way to bag the gold medal.
In an all-Malaysian final, top seeds Bryan Goonting and Mohamad Fazriq defeated fellow compatriots Boon Zhe Goh and Vin Sean Wong 2-1 to win the Men’s Doubles title.
After losing the first set 17/21 Goonting and Farziq made a gallant reply to claim the remaining two sets 21/16 and 21/18 as Malaysia won both the gold and silver medals.
Japan claimed their second gold medal of the competition when Hina Osawa and Akari Sato teamed up to outsmart Min Ji Kim and Yu Jung Kim of South Korea 2-1 in the Women’s Doubles final.
Osawa and Sato, who won the gold medal at last week’s HUNDRED Sri Lanka International Challenge, made a good start by winning the opening set 21/19.
But the Kims retaliated by winning the second set 21/17 to level the game, as the Japanese pair overpowered their opponents in the final set by 21/13.
Japan’s Yuta Watanabe and Maya Taguchi took full control of the Mixed Doubles final, where they beat Ratchapol Makkasasithorn and Nattamon Laisuan of Thailand in straight sets to win their first gold earlier in the day.
The Thai pair put very little pressure on the Japanese duo, who claimed an easy win by 21/15 and 21/16, following their silver medal in the HUNDRED Sri Lanka International Challenge last week.
Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB) hosted nearly 260 players from 16 nations, including Sri Lanka, at the five-day competition, where a total prize money of USD 5,000 was on offer.
The international tournament, sanctioned by Badminton World Federation and Badminton Asia, was sponsored by HUNDRED, LiNing, Mobil, McFoil and 3M.
Results of Finals
Men’s Singles : Jeland Fajar (Indo) beat Buwaneka Goonathilleka (SL) 2-0 (21/18, 21/13)
Women’s Singles : Tidapron Kleebyeesun (Thai) beat Lalinrat Chaiwan (Thai) 2-1 (13/21, 21/14, 21/14)
Men’s Doubles : Bryan Goonting/Mohamad Fazriq (Mas) beat Boon Zhe Goh/Vin Sean Wong (Mas) 2-1 (17/21, 21/16, 21/18)
Women’s Doubles : Hina Osawa/Akari Sato (Jpn) beat Min Ji Kim/Yu Jung Kim (S. Korea) 2-1 (21/19, 17/21, 21/13)
Mixed Doubles : Yuta Watanabe/Maya Taguchi (Jpn) beat Ratchapol Makkasasithorn/Nattamon Laisuan (Thai) 2-0 (21/15, 21/16)