Badminton player Viren Nettasinghe, who was the first competitor from Sri Lanka to contest in the Paris Olympics, was beaten 2-0 by Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia. Yesterday at 1.40 pm Sri Lanka time, the score of the match played at the Paris Porte de la Chapelle Arena indoor stadium was 21-14 and 21-12.
The match between Malaysia’s No. 1 player Lee Zii Jia, who is ranked 7th in the world badminton ranking, and Viren Nettasinghe, who is ranked 70th in the same ranking, was like an encounter between ‘David and Goliath’.
The first round of the 35-minute match lasted 18 minutes and the second round lasted 17 minutes. Viren led by 4 points in both rounds, and the more experienced Lee Zii Jia then instigated to spread his command.
Viren Nettasinghe, who spoke after the match, said that it is his firm determination to influence the status of yesterday’s winning player one day in the future. He also said that he would like to thank all Sri Lankans who have blessed and supported him.
“Not an easy player to get first. My opponent is number one in Malaysia. I got a great experience playing with him. I understood what the shortcomings are. He has been to many tournaments and has experience. Due to my mistakes, the opponent got points. His mistakes are few. Controlled the game with his experience,” said Viren.
“The people of Sri Lanka have blessed me, helped a lot. Thanks to all of them. Sad about being beaten. There is a big difference between mine and his game,” said Viren. His next opponent is 39-year-old Spain’s Abian Pablo.
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