Lankan triple threat paints Hangzhou tracks in Gold and Bronze

Hangzhou, 04 October 2023 – It took an 18 year old petite girl to break through the 21 year old seemingly unbreakable barrier barring the Lankan island nation from Athletics’ Gold medals at Asian Games. The star of the night, and undoubtedly at the Games even, Tharushi Karunarathna ran with the hopes of the nation and bagged the Gold medal of the Women’s 800m Final at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium tonight with a super performance of 2mts. 03.20secs. Meanwhile, in the same Women’s 800m Final, Gayanthika Aberathna managed to come in 8th clocking 2mts. 05.87secs.

 

A beeming Tharushi told us, “I am elated that I was able to win the Gold medal. Actually, I had the belief even before I ran today that I will be able to grab the Gold. My special gratitude goes out to the medical team for helping me recover quickly between my 800m race and the 4*400m Women’s Relay race. Our training regime also had us master in perseverance, so I ran with that and my confidence and I am so glad that I was able to win 2 medals within 1 hour”.

 

But, Sri Lanka was in for 2 more treats through the night. The women’s relay team, comprising of  - Nadeesha Ramanayaka, Jayeshi Uththara, Sayuri Mendis and star Tharushi Karunarathna stroke Bronze clocking 3mts. 30.88 secs. in the Women's 4*400m Relay final while the men's relay team, comprising of – Aruna Dharshana, Kaushika Keshan, Rajitha Rajakaruna and Kalinga Kumarage, matched their Bronze clinching the medal in the Men's 4*400m Relay with a timing of 3mts. 02.55secs.

 

Lankans lose hope and medal

 

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka men – the men’s defending Gold Medalists crashed to an unexpected 8 run defeat to be eliminated in their first outing. 

 

Afghanistan taking the first lease of the wickets were bowled out for 116 – a average of under 6 runs per over.  For the winners NA Zadran top scored with 51 while MS Mohammadi (20) and S. Kamal (23) top scored. Fast bowler Nuwan Thushara bowled best for Sri Lanka with figures of 4 for 17 in three overs while skipper Sahan Arachchige bagged 2 for 26. The Lankan inning started with a bang with opener Lasith Coorsepulle making 16 runs in just 12 balls, but with the of Coorsepulle the Lankans inning lost its momentum and were all out for 108 in 19.1 overs.

 

Viren fights, but loses the battle

 

Young Badminton player Viren Nettasinghe who made his way into the last 16 of the Asian Games, showed some raw courage taking on Chou Tien-Chen -- who is globally rated in the top range made the latter fight losing the first round at 21-16, but, Viren lack of exposure at the top was amplified Chen and took the game at 21-10. 

 

Nonetheless, Viren proved that with the right backing and guidance, he could be a noteworthy opponent at that level in the future.