Memorable day for Lanka

Sampath BANDARA reporting from Australia

GAMES: Sri Lanka had a memorable day at the 18th Commonwealth Games today.

Weightlifter Chinthana Vidanage won the gold medal in men's 62kg event, with a lift of 153kg. An old boy of Rajakeeya Central College, Polonnaruwa, Vidanage gave Sri Lanka its first Commonwealth Games in eight years. The silver medal was won by Arun Murugesan of India. Vidanage and Murugesan both lifted a total of 271kg. But the Lankan was awarded the gold because of his lighter bodyweight.

Winning the bronze was Malaysian Abdul Rashid. Vidanage said his dream came true in Australia and it was a result of hard work and dedication.

Sri Lanka won several matches in badminton - preliminary round of the mixed team event. B. Kumarapperuma, Dinuka Karunaratne, R. Hettiarachchige and Jayasinghe were the successful shuttlers. Sri Lanka's Prabha Dharmadasa advanced to the second round of the women's 100m backstroke, finishing second in her round one heat.

Sri Lanka table tennis players too won their preliminary round matches.