Sri Lanka’s Viren Nettasinghe secured a remarkable straight-sets win against world number two Anders Antonsen of Denmark in an exhibition badminton match held at the Mercantile Badminton Association (MBA) Courts in Colombo yesterday.

Viren, the country’s top-ranked men’s singles shuttler, kept his cool under pressure as Antonsen, a three-time World Championship medalist, challenged him in a fiercely competitive showdown.

The first set was evenly poised until the closing phases, with both players demonstrating their skill and agility. Viren eventually secured it 21-18 after a strong push.

The second set was a tough battle as well, with Antonsen employing a range of tactical and technical moves in a bid to keep up with his youthful opponent — especially as he prepares to pursue direct Olympic qualification. The Dane also kept the crowd engaged with a few lighthearted moments, much to the delight of spectators who turned up in large numbers for the high-profile match.

Viren, however, raised his game, employing powerful cross-court smashes to ease away and wrap up the set 21-14, securing a well-deserved triumph.

“Unfortunately I played against a solid young guy. Sri Lanka certainly has a strong talent for the future. I enjoyed the match and I’ll definitely get my revenge someday soon,” Antonsen said afterwards with a smile. The 28-year-old European Championship medalist, currently on a brief break from his busy tour, added, “Thank you for welcoming me here in Sri Lanka. Just enjoying the country, the lovely beaches, and the friendly people.”

Viren was delighted to perform in front of his home supporters against a world-renowned opponent. “It’s a great experience to play against the world number two — definitely a dream come true. I want to thank Sri Lanka Badminton and Ceylon Masters Badminton for making this opportunity possible for me,” said the 21-year-old after the match.