Weightlifter Sudesh wins bronze medal

Commonwealth Games in New Delhi:

Chinthana WASALA reporting from New Delhi

Sri Lankans had the taste of a medal for the first time at the XIXth Commonwealth Games when Anton Sudesh Peiris, a humble boy from Negombo, won the bronze medal in the men’s 62 kg weightlifting event at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium yesterday.

Sudesh, the six time Sri Lanka champion in his category, the 1996 SAG bronze medallist lifted a total of 272 kgs (Clean and jerk -152kg, snatch -120kg) to be placed third.

Mathew Abeysinghe renewed the record books but all three Lankan swimmers failed to advance to the second rounds of their respective events on the second day of competitions of the Delhi games.

Conrad Francis, Mathew Abeysinghe and Madhavee Weeratunga were seen in action at the massive S P Mukharjee Swimming Stadium yesterday morning but the highlight was the 14-year-old Matthew Abeysinghe hinted out to be an excellent swimmer in future as the young lad finished third in the men’s 200m free-style event, setting a Sri Lanka record with a time of one minute 56.53 seconds in the first heat but failed to advance to the second round.

He bettered the 19-year-old record of two minutes 00.29 seconds, previously held by Lankan swimming legend Julian Bolling. Abeysinghe was not allowed to swim in the 400m free-style event on Monday because he did not keep the accreditation card with him.

“It was great to know that I broke the Sri Lankan record. I am just 14 years of age and hope that I will be able to do better in future,” said Abeysinghe.

Conrad Francis clocked his personal best of 26.39 seconds in the mens 50m butterfly event to finish sixth in the fourth heat and was placed 21st in the overall standings after the first round. But he missed the second round by five slots. Madhavee Weeratunga was placed last in the third heat with a performance of one minute 04.84 seconds.

Record breaker Bandara injured

Meanwhile, weightlifter Kamal Bandara’s attempt of 233kgs in the mens 56kg category on Monday was recognized as a new Sri Lanka record.

According to the Sri Lanka team’s Chef de Mission Wing Commander Chandana Liyanage, confirmed that Bandara has renewed his own record of 232kgs.

Bandara was injured after his third attempt and was rushed to the hospital, but lifted 130 kgs (Clean and Jerk) and 103kgs (snatch) before that.

According to Liyanage, he will be out of sports for at least two months as ordered by the doctors.