Portugal leads medals table

Bernard PERERA in Portugal

The second Lusofonia Games which began in Lisbon three days ago completed its first stage when they concluded the athletic events on a grand scale. Portugal, the host country took the lead in the medals table while Brazil and Sri Lanka took the next two spots.

Sri Lanka athletic team comprising six men and three women athletes did a fine job to win a gold and three silver medals to take the third position. Chaminda Wijekoon, the middle distance runner was the gold winner for Sri Lanka in the 1500m. Chaminda who is undergoing training in Kenya was specially brought down to run in this meet and proved that is in peak form and clocked a time of 3m. 43 secs. for the event. The other two bronze medals for Sri Lanka came in the men’s 4x100m and 4x400m relays while the only women’s medal was won by Chandrika Subashini in the 400m event. She finished the event in 53.41 secs. to take the medal.

Shehan Ambepitiya, one of the medal hopes for Sri Lanka in the sprint events failed to achieve success when he finished the 100m final 10.49 secs. But he could not achieve the time which he recorded in the heats 10.43 secs. The winner in this event from the host country Portugal Francis Obikwelu had a time of 10.18 secs.

In the 400m men Sri Lanka’s M. Sumedha was far behind the winner clocking 47.75 secs. While Brazil’s Eduardo Vasconcelos timed 46.32. Meanwhile Premila Priyadharshini finished sixth, running in the 100m women’s event.

Chaminda Wijekoon, the middle distance runner left Lisbon yesterday for Italy to compete in a few events from where he will leave for Kenya to continue his training. The athletic team of Sri Lanka will leave the camp today as they have finished their program.

The Sri Lankan Beach Volleyballers and the Taekwondo stars will make their appearance today. Beach Volleyball will be staged at the scenic beach of Amaro de Oerias. Sri Lanka is represented by four men’s and four women’s players.