Lavidu Premarathna, Aaraadhi Samararatne
By Shamseer Jaleel
Lavidu Premarathna and Aaraadhi Samararatne emerged as the standout performers in the Gold segment of the Kandy Regional Junior Open Golf Tournament, which concluded in Rajawella. Meanwhile, Mushfira Muzammil, featuring in the Silver division and playing off the same tee as the Gold, recorded the lowest aggregate gross score and was the winner of the Silver segment.
The three-day junior championship attracted many of the country’s promising young golfers, but it was Lavidu and Aaraadhi who produced the most consistent performances to secure the premier boys’ and girls’ titles.
Lavidu displayed remarkable composure throughout the tournament to finish with an aggregate score of 222, holding off a spirited challenge from Adhithya Weerasinghe, who finished just two strokes behind in a closely contested Boys Gold category. Lavidu’s steady play across all three rounds proved decisive as he maintained his rhythm under pressure to lift the championship trophy, though Adhithya led in the initial two days.
In the Girls Gold, Aaraadhi Samararatne enjoyed an equally impressive tournament, carding an aggregate of 281 to claim the title in convincing fashion. Her consistency from tee to green enabled her to finish comfortably ahead of runner-up Mushika Muzammil, who ended the tournament on 312.
Udheera Bandara captured the Boys Silver title with an excellent aggregate of 240, while Danik Daluwatte finished second on 277. In the Girls Silver category, Mushfira Muzammil emerged champion ahead of Genuli Weerakon.
Bronze divisions witnessed some thrilling competition, with Yuvan Rathiskanth winning the Boys title on 171, edging Jaeden Sathasivam, who had led the tournament during the opening two rounds before finishing second on 174. Fathima Zeeniya claimed the Girls Bronze championship, with Ananya Krishanthan taking second place.
In the Copper categories, Kyra Cader won the Girls title on 137, ahead of Dinara Perera on 144, while Usara Nugegoda secured the Boys championship with 108, with teammate Dihein Witharana finishing runner-up on 112.
n Gold Boys – Lavidu Premarathna (222), Adhithya Weerasinghe (224)
n Gold Girls – Aaraadhi Samararatne (281), Mushika Muzammil (312)
n Silver Boys – Udheera Bandara (240), Danik Daluwatte (277)
n Silver Girls – Mushfira Muzammil (265), Genuli Weerakon (267)
n Bronze Boys – Yuvan Rathiskanth (171), Jaeden Sathasivam (174)
n Bronze Girls – Fathima Zeeniya (190), Ananya Krishanthan (202)
n Copper Boys – Usara Nugegoda (108), Dihein Witharana (112)
n Copper Girls – Kyra Cader (137), Dinara Perera (144)
