Killerspin boy and Anula girl win table tennis titles

Abhiru Perera

Nishadi Perera

By Susil Premalal

Abhiru Perera of Killerspin TT Academy and Nishadi Perera of Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda were the men’s and women’s Singles champions at the Ping Pong Academy Invitational Table Tennis Championship 2026, held to mark World Table Tennis Day and the centenary of the sport at the Indoor Stadium of Gateway College, Colombo.

Abhiru defeated Bevin Peiris of St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa 2-0 in the men’s final and Nishadi recorded a convincing 2-0 victory over Chenuli Kankanamgamage of Musaeus College in the women’s final. The tournament attracted 220 participants, highlighting emerging talent across multiple age categories. The event was graced by Shalika Ranaweera, Commissioner of the Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte Municipal Council, as the Chief Guest. In the Under-15 category, Senanya Amaratunga of Gateway College, Colombo claimed the girls’ title with a 2-0 win over Kirushni Subanthan of Methodist College, Colombo. Chris Nisala of Loyola College, Bopitiya secured the boys’ title by defeating Salamaan Faris of St. John’s College, Nugegoda.

Rohansa Kotikawatte of Gateway College won the Under-13 girls’ final beating Lakshi Gunasekara 2-1 while Sayon Jayasinghe of St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa captured the Under-13 boys’ title with a 2-1 win over Abinu Vithana.

In the Under-11 final, Sanjena Sajeevan of Bishop’s College, Colombo and Vinuja Mendis of S. Thomas’ Preparatory College, Colombo emerged victorious in the girls’ and boys’ events respectively, both registering 2-1 wins.

The Under-9 titles were won by Joanna Nanayakkara of Loyola College, Bopitiya and Yesandu Jayasinghe of Killerspin TT Academy, both securing straight-set victories. In the Under-7 category, Teshini Nulara of Lyceum International School, Gampaha and Avyaan Wickramanayaka of Ananda College, Colombo clinched the girls’ and boys’ titles respectively. The championship underscored the growing popularity of table tennis among school athletes while providing a competitive platform to celebrate a historic milestone for the sport.