Japan and Indonesia took a major share of honours as Malaysia’s Sholeh Aidil and Japan’s Manami Suizu were crowned Men’s and Women’s Singles champions of the HUNDRED Sri Lanka International Challenge 2025, concluded at the St. Joseph’s College Indoor Complex in Darley Road, Colombo on Sunday (2).

Japan claimed two gold medals, the Women’s Singles and Women’s Doubles, and settled with a sole silver medal in the Mixed Doubles.

Sri Lanka’s only medal, a bronze, was claimed by Viren Nettasinghe, who competed in the Men’s Singles.

Malaysia’s Sholeh Aidil utlised both his brawn and brain to outsmart India’s Pranay Katta in straight sets to triumph as the Men’s Singles winner, after thwarting Sri Lanka’s Viren Nettasinghe in the semifinals on Saturday (1). 

Aidil gradually picked momentum to frustrate Katta in the first set, before snatching it 21/19, and continued the same strategy to win the second set 21/15 to clinch the title of the six-day tournament. 

Aidil beat Viren in straight sets, with scores of 21/16 and 21/18 in the semifinal, while Katta comfortably overcame Indonesia’s Prahdiska Shujiwo in straight sets.

In a spectacular battle, Japan’s Manami Suizu produced the most inspiring win against Adita Rao of India to snatch the Women’s Singles title. 

Though it was a straight win for the Japanese, the final went down to the wire as the second set stretched out to the end as Suizu sealed the game 27/25, after easily winning the first set 21/12.

Suizu defeated Thailand’s Lalinrat Chaiwan in straight sets in the semi-final, while Rao pushed aside her fellow compatriot Shreya Lele in straight sets to reach the final.

Johanne Peries, who became the second Sri Lankan to summit Mount Everest, graced the awards ceremony as the chief guest. 

Following the HUNDRED Sri Lanka International Challenge 2025, where a total prize money of $ 17,500 was on offer, Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB) will proceed with its second global competition – the HUNDRED Sri Lanka International Series at the same venue.