Sri Lanka emerge runners-up at Asian Beach VolleyBall

The men’s champions and runners-up on the podium

 The women’s champions and runners-up on the podium

By Susil Premalal  

Iran and Kazakhstan clinched the Men’s and Women’s title respectively at the Central Asian Beach Volleyball Tournament held at Negombo Beach Park.  

Eighteen teams from six countries participated in this tournament, which was organised by the Central Asian Volleyball Association and the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation.  

Sri Lanka qualified for the Men’s and Women’s finals but lost to Iran and Kazakhstan in both finals. However, Sri Lanka managed to secure their place in the upcoming Asian Beach Volleyball Tournament.   

Sri Lanka fielded three men’s and three women’s teams and ended up with two silver medals and one bronze medal.  

In the men’s final Sri Lanka ‘A’ Team (Dileep Chamika and Malith Dilshan) lost to Iran’s Ghalehnovi and Abolhassan 21-13 and 21-13.  

In the third place match Sandun Madushanka and Anjana Sandipana (Sri Lanka ‘B’ Team) lost to Kazakhstan 20-22, 21-18 and 15-10.  

Meanwhile, in the women’s final, Kadulbekova and Ivanchenko of Kazakhstan won the gold medal by defeating Deepika Bandara and Kasuni Tharuka of Sri Lanka ‘A’ Team 21-11 and 21-17.  

Two Sri Lanka teams clashed for third place, where Shehani Asanga and Chathunika Madushani of ‘B’ Team defeated Vasana Madhumali and Kasuni Keshala (‘C’ Team) 21-15 and 21-19.