Mineka wins first Gold for Sri Lanka

Leslie FERNANDO reporting from Pakistan

SWIMMING: Mineka Karunaratne won the first Gold medal for Sri Lanka at the first South Asian Swimming and Water Polo Championship conducted by the Pakistan Swimming Federation held at the Jinnah Sports Complex swimming pool here yesterday.

Mineka swimming in her pet event won the Gold in 100 metres Breast stroke open blessed with a perfect start from the blocks she swam in fine style to lead from the outset to the finish clocking 1:19:85 secs. Jessica Bole of India won the Silver 1:22:91 secs and Aqsa Tariq of Pakistan took the Bronze with a time of 1:28:26 secs.

Mineka was thrilled and happy and said that winning a Gold for the country was her main aim from the beginning of the meet. She also added that she was confident of the Gold due to hard training under Julian Bolling and Ruwan Manawadu.

Islamabad, Monday