Thailand and Hong Kong shuttlers proved their class by winning the girls’ and boys’ team events respectively on the third day of the Asian Under-16 Badminton Championships worked off at the S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia gymnasium yesterday.

The girls’ team event produced the sparks with the contest between the two countries going to the doubles event to find the winner.

Thailand were cock a hoop after wining the first singles through the efforts of I. Ratchanok who beat Malaysia’s Lee Meng Yean. But Malaysia replied strongly taking the second singles with Lim Yin Fun beating Sarita Suwanakijbor.

This produced a final showdown between Thailand’s I. Ratchanok and P. Maetanee who beat Lee Meng Yean and Chow Mei Kuan of Malaysia quite convincingly.

Hong Kong took the boys’ team event beating Malaysia 2-0. Both wins came in the singles events which left no room for a doubles event.

Thailand coach N. Pattapol told The Island that the Thais had fielded a strong girls’ team and was happy winning the team championships. He said he was impressed by the high standards shown by the Hong Kong and Malaysia players.

Today Sri Lanka’s girls and boys will be seen in action when the tournament enters the individual events.

Sri Lanka coach Chinthaka Fernando said that both the boys and girls were looking forward to the individual events which he described as a tough challenge. "The individual events are tougher and calls for a better performance," said Fernando. He said that it was important for Sri Lanka to have a ranked player in Achini Ratnasiri. Ratansiri is ranked second in the girls’ event. "All the international exposure has enabled her to have a high ranking. She is one of the most experienced players in the tournament," Fernando said.

Sri Lanka’s fitness trainer M. Jayatilaka said that his players could be the fittest in the tournament and should perform well. Sri Lanka have fielded 23 players for the individual events.

Boys-Omal Wishvanath, Lahiru Ambegoda, Damitha Yatawara, Chamika Karunaratne, Vibhavi Madusha, Pamoda Hettiarachchi, Sachin Shirantha, Damith Rathnayake, Charith Tennakoon, Evindu Moragoda, Vinura Manapperuma, Mahela Thalapawila,

Girls-Achini Ratnasiri, Upuli Samanthika, Sushmita Illangakoon, Oshadie Kuruppu, Kavidi Ishadika, Thilini Hendahewa, Maneesha Fonseka, Shehani Modaragama, Dinitha Dias, Puneesha Pasqual

Girl’s singles 1-I.Ratchanok (Thailand) beat Lee Meng Yean (Malaysia) 21-15, 21-7

Girl’s singles 2- Lim Yin Fun (Malaysia) beat Sarita Suwanakijbor (Thailand) 21-14, 15-21, 21-16

Girls’ doubles -I. Ratchanok and P. Maetanee (Thailand) beat Lee Meng Yean and Chow Mei Kwan (Malaysia) 21-17, 21-11

Boy’s singles 1-Lee Chun Hzi (Hong Kong) beat Mundadib Haiqud (Malaysia) 21-7, 22-20