Sri Lanka bag more medals

Leslie Fernando reporting from Pakistan

SWIMMING: Sri Lanka women swimmers gave yet another good performances winning two gold medals through Mineka Karunaratne and Shehani Mediwake and a bronze by Sunethra Wijeratne on day three of the first South Asia Swimming and Waterpolo Championships conducted by the Pakistan Swimming Federation held here.

The 15-year-old Mineka, student of Asian International School making her debut in an foreign meet proved her class by winning the second Gold in the 50 metres Breast Stroke Open with a time of 36.00 secs. She swam in lane four and forged ahead of Indian swimmer Mondaz placed second 38.01 secs. Nepalese swimmer Rimal took the Bronze 40.67 secs.

Shehani accounted for the second gold in the 50 metres breast stroke under 14 clocking 37.70 secs. The two Indian swimmers Poorva 37.74 secs and Venpa 38.57 secs placed second and third respectively. Sachini Amarasinghe came in fourth 39.20 secs.

Sunethra won the bronze in the 100 metres back stroke under 14 returning time of 1:19:05 secs. Udara Cumaratunga finished behind Udara 1:19:54 secs.

Methma Jayawardena swimming in the 400 metres free style open took the fourth place 4:59:79 secs and Hansani Weeratunga sixth 5:09:72 secs. Chamari Kudabalage was placed fifth in the 200 metres back stroke open 2:53:18 secs.

Mineka Karunaratne became the ‘star’ performer amongst the Sri Lanka women swimmers winning two gold medals and also won two silver medals.

She bagged gold in the 100 and 50 metres breast stroke silver in 200 metres breast stroke and 4X100 metres medley relay. Indeed a praiseworthy feat by the young breast stroke specialist. Shehani who did proud to the country winning the gold also has won bronze in the 100 metres breast stroke.

In the open category Sri Lanka has won two gold, three silver and four bronze and has collected 73 points for overall. India is in front with 12 gold and nine silver, 129 points and Pakistan second with 89 points one gold, three silver, 10 bronze.

In the age group category Sri Lanka is in second position with one gold, one silver and seven bronze, 62 points and India on top with 112 points nine gold, nine silver and one bronze and Pakistan placed third with 37 points two bronze.

The points are awarded as follows: 1st (seven points), 2nd (five), 3rd (four), 4th (three), 5th (two) and sixth (one).

ISLAMABAD, Wednesday