Friday, 17 May 2024

News | BWF World Championships

Anders Antonsen was only four years old when Niluka Karunaratne played his first World Championships. Now, 20 years later, the third-seeded Dane finds himself amazed at Karunaratne’s longevity, having just defeated him 21-11 21-15 to advance to the third round of the TotalEnergies BWF World Championships 2021.

Karunaratne, who has been synonymous with Sri Lankan badminton for two decades, has also seen his younger brothers make a mark in the sport. Despite the loss, Niluka expressed satisfaction with his performance and his ability to represent his country at the World Championships once again.

Looking back at his long career, Karunaratne fondly recalls the 2001 edition of the World Championships, where he witnessed great matches and intense competition. He believes that while the sport has grown in terms of participation and popularity, the intensity and quality of play displayed by players like Taufik, Lee Chong Wei, Lin Dan, and Peter Gade is unmatched.

As Karunaratne contemplates his future, he hopes to participate in the Commonwealth Games as a fitting end to his remarkable career. Having already competed in three Olympics and achieved victories against top-ranked players, he looks forward to bidding farewell in a grand event.

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