Ravindu Laksiri proudly displays the HCL Squash Tour trophy, in Indore, India last Sunday
Sri Lanka’s Ravindu Laksiri has once again shown his prowess on the squash court by securing the championship title at the PSA 3K Tournament, HCL Squash Tour, held in Indore, India.
The tournament concluded last Sunday with Laksiri emerging as the number one player in the competition.
This win marks a significant milestone in Laksiri’s career, as he has now reached six finals in his PSA Challenger journey, clinching three titles and securing three runner-up positions. Before this remarkable victory, Laksiri had played in four finals, narrowly missing the championship three times.
The tournament was not without its challenges, especially with the formidable presence of Indian player Om Semwal, who had impressively advanced to the semi-finals by defeating all seeded players in the bottom half of the draw.
Laksiri acknowledged the tough competition, particularly amid the enthusiastic Indian crowd and under the watchful eyes of Indian referees. However, he remained determined and focused, ultimately emerging victorious.
Looking ahead, Laksiri is ready for another tournament in Chennai, also a 3K event, scheduled to take place from June 4-10. Following this, he will represent Sri Lanka in the Asian Senior Team Competition, set to be held in China from June 12 to 16.
With squash being included in the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics for the first time in history, Laksiri aims to improve his world ranking which currently ranges between 130-140 to 80 by the end of this year.
Despite the absence of a coach in Sri Lanka, Laksiri relies on his extensive international experience to refine his strategic approach and elevate his game. Training abroad would incur substantial costs and Laksiri prioritizes gaining match experience through participation in various tournaments worldwide.
But Laksiri will have his employer Brandix, who sponsors all his tournament endeavors, to thank. Additionally, he commends the efforts of his fellow Sri Lankan players, including Shamil Wakeel, Nevindu Lakman and Tuwin Herath, who also participated in the tournament.
Wakeel notably reached the semi-finals while National Champion Yeheni Kuruppu made it to the quarterfinals in the women’s category.
