Ashen, Madhushanka enter quarters with clean record

Chinthana WASALA in Singapore

Sri Lankan Youth Beach Volleyballers Ashan Fernando and Madushanka Fernando with a clean record managed to enter the quarter finals at the on going Asian Youth Games here in Singapore. At Siloso Beach, Sentosa, Sri Lankan boys managed to defeat Saudi Arabia (21-14), (21-18) and Japan (21-13), (21-13) on the fourth day of competition yesterday. On the third day they put up an excellent display to beat one of the favorites for the title hosts Singapore. With three good wins the Lankans are on top of Group ‘B’ and also ranked on top with their classy performances in these three games.

Though the Boys came on top the Lankan girls Oshani Chapa and Kilathika Sanjeewani failed to match their opponents Thailand and failed to enter the next stage.

All four Lankan athletes came close to winning a medals but at the finish they were placed fourth positions.

Their failures did not allow Sri Lanka to promote themselves in to the medal table at the end of the fourth day of the inaugural Asian Youth games which continued in Singapore yesterday.

Dhanushka Ashen Fernando finished fourth in the Long jump clearing diatance of 6.59m, Keshani Perera clocked 15.48 seconds in the girls 100m hurdles, Nadeeshani Henderson with 58.08 seconds in the girls 400m and Nayomika Gimhani finished fourth in the girls 400m hurdles clocking 1 min. 03.47 seconds.

In the boys 400m final, Dulaj Lahiru was placed seventh with 51.21 seconds.

Unamboowe in Final Heshan Unamboowe, another medal prospect of Sri Lanka, finished third in the boys 100m backstroke semi-final and will swim in the final this evening. The Kingswoodian clocked 1 min. 00.01 seconds, which is much faster than the time he clocked in the quarter final (1min. 00.74 seconds)

Table Tennis Lankans excelled in yesterdayâ€(tm)s table tennis events which took place at the Toa Payoh Indoor Stadium defeating Macau in the team event. In the girls singles, Nuwani Navodya won her match 3-1 (11-6, 12-10, 5-11, 1-6) later Hasintha Shashiranga and Nuwani Navodya also won the mixed doubles 3-1 (12-10, 11-8, 5-11, 11-13) but Hasintha was beaten in the boys singles as Macau won 3-1 (11-8-, 11-8-,3-11, 11-7) Indunil Herath is the best medal hope for Sri Lanka today whoi will be seen in action in the boys 800m final. He has proved he is one of Sri Lankaâ€(tm)s future prospect for the middle distance events when he finished first in the boys 800m clocking 1 min. 58.9 seconds to be the fastest among the 22 competitors on Wednesday.

China extends lead Chinese youngsters were still in front with 10 medals (7 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze) followed by Republic of Korea (2 Gold, 3 Silver and 5 Bronze). The hosts, Singapore secured the third position with two gold and four bronze medals.

Though the Singapore officials have done excellent preparations in hosting the games, providing athletes and officials with all facilities, publicity the spectators turn out was not up to expectations at venues except for bowling.