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| Thursday, 24 June 2004 |
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Susanthika, Rohan make winning start Dinesh Weerawansa reporting Olympic medallist Susanthika Jayasinghe and Asian Championship double gold medallist Rohan Pradeep Kumara Fernando won their respective sprint events while experienced Damayanthi Darsha was not at the brilliant best on her return to the international track at the first leg of the Asian Grand Prix Series worked off in Songkla, Thailand yesterday. Jayasinghe, making preparations to go for her dream of a second successive Olympic medal, lived up to expectations though it was not her brilliant best. She returned a timing of 23.34 seconds in women's 200m to finish first and pocket USD 2,000 in the USD 77,000 tournament hosted by the Thai Athletic Association under the guidance of the Asian Athletic Association. The 28-year-old Lankan sprint queen did not receive much challenge. Compatriot Jani Chathurangani Silva, a gold medallist at the last South Asian Games, finished fourth in women's 200m. Former Navy Sports Club sprinter, Rohan Pradeep Kumara is the only other Sri Lankan to secure a first place. He clocked 45.83 seconds to beat a strong Asian line-up. Fernando said he has been aiming for the win and that it was nice to start off the series with a win. "It is a good start and a morale booster. It gives you so much of confidence to do well in the two remaining meets in Colombo and Manila," he said. Sri Lanka's men's 4 x 400m relay team finished a close second to India after a keenly contested tussle. Sri Lanka looked much more confidence in their lead up to the event but an injury to experienced Sugath Tillakaratne forced tem to engage in a hectic tussle at the end. India won the race at the end clocking three minutes and 3.10 seconds. The Indian challenge was led by Manoj Lal, who was beaten by Sri Lanka's Fernando in the men's 400m individual event. Sri Lanka clocked 3:5.00. Asian Games triple gold medallist Damayanthi Darsha, who was fancied to win women's 400m, had to settle for the third place clocking 52.82 seconds. It looked she did not want to fire all her cylinders on her return to international track after one year due to a leg injury. She received an unexpected challenge from China's Bu Feng Feng and Indian K.M. Bonenamol. However, Chaminda Wijekoon won the third place in men's 1, 500m event in three minutes and 58 seconds. It was a creditable performance which earned him USD 500. Out of the Thai Grand Prix, Sri Lankan athletes won a total of USD 6,200, though they enjoyed mixed fortunes. Former Asian Games 400m gold medallist, Sugath Tillakaratne sustained a leg injury during a final training session before the 4 x 400m relay. He was replaced by Rohitha Pushpakumara in the final. The absence of Tillakaratne put more burden on Fernando's shoulders but he handled the pressure well to settle for second place against some stiff competition. The others who represented Sri Lanka were Ranga Wimalawansa and Prasanna Amarasekera. Tillakaratne looks a doubtful starter for the second leg of the Asian Grand Prix in Colombo on Sunday. If he fails to make it, his place is likely to be taken by Sri Lanka's new found youngster, Manoj Pushpakumara, who represented Sri Lanka at the Asian junior meet with distinction. The 180 foreign athletes took part in the Thai leg are due to fly to Sri Lanka tomorrow to take part in the second leg to be worked off at the Sugathadasa Stadium. After the Colombo Grand Prix, they will fly to the Philippines on June 29 to compete in Manila on July 1. |
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