Sri Lankan badminton sensation, Viren Nettasinghe, is set to compete in two key tournaments in the Northern Mariana Islands ahead of his participation in the Paris Olympics.

Nettasinghe, Sri Lanka’s top ranked shuttler who is currently placed 75th in the world, will take part in the Northern Marianas Open from today (2) to Sunday (7) and then the Saipan International Open Badminton Tournament 2024 from 9-13 July. Both tournaments will be held in the picturesque town of Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands.

The two BWF Grade 3 International Challenge Tournaments are expected to attract top talent from around the world. Sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Badminton Oceania, both tournaments are hosted by the Northern Marianas Badminton Association.

Nettasinghe, who recently made history by becoming the youngest Sri Lankan to directly qualify for the Olympics, is gearing up to showcase his skills on yet another prestigious international stage when he competes as the top seed in the men’s singles events at the Western Pacific nation.

The Northern Marianas Open will see the singles Round of 64 and the Round of 32 events taking place on 2 and 3 July, while the Pre-quarter-finals will be held on 4 July. The quarter-finals will take place on 5 July, followed by the semi-finals next day, culminating in the gold medal matches on 7 July.

Opening rounds of the Saipan International will take place on 10 July, followed by the Round of 16 the next day. The Quarter-finals will take place on 12 July, while the Semi-finals and Finals will be held on 13 July.

Nettasinghe’s participation in the two tournaments in Saipan will provide him with the opportunity to further hone his skills and gain valuable experience against some of the world’s best players, serving as a critical preparation ground for the Lankan star as he sets his sights on the upcoming Paris Olympics which officially kicks off on 26 July.