Chandrika on the hunt for medal despite illness

Chinthana Wasa Reporting from Bangkok

Sri Lankan sprinter Chandrika Subhashini Rasnayake was admitted to hospital, following problems with her food yesterday morning. However she was discharged a few hours later and she insists that she is ready to take on her pet event at the second leg of the Asian Grand Prix Athletic Championship which starts this evening at the Chonburi Physical Education Campus Stadium.

The visiting Lankans accounted for only one gold medal in the first leg which was held at Thammasat University Grounds in Bangkok last Saturday, but the mentally strong athlete is confident that she would be able to convert her silver into gold in Chonburi.

Chandrika bagged silver after finishing second with a timing of 53.35 second in the women's 400 metres final.

Sri Lanka coach cum team manager Dervin Perera said that Chandrika had to skip the team’s training session which took place at the Chonburi Physical Education Campus Stadium, but she is ready to take on the challenge.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka’s men's 4x100 metres relay team is looking to advance at the third leg of the AGP, having failed to impress at the Bangkok leg. Sri Lanka finished fourth in the heat but finished seventh overall with a time of 40.36 seconds, although they were expected to hit below the 40-second mark.

“We have recognized few weaknesses and we are working on them. I am confident that they will do better this time” said Manager Perera

“Our boys and girls attended their training sessions last morning and evening, but the conditions are different from Bangkok. The wind is going to have an effect on athletes’ performances here. In Bangkok, the high rise pavilions are blocking the wind. But here, it’s a different story,” added Perera

The heats of men's and women's 100 metre events worked off at the first leg of the Asian Grand Prix was a selection trial for the next two legs and the best eight timers booked their places for the next two stages.

Jani Chaturangani de Silva was the only Lankan to book a place in Chonburi and Colombo within the top eight, however Mohammad Safran and Shehan Ambepitiya will run in the ‘losers’ race’ which will see athletes who failed to enter the top eight slots in action. However, this means the Lankan spectators will not be able to see Ambepitiya and Safran in action along with top eight of Asia.

While Nadeeka Lakmali is confident of adding more Dollars to her wallet today, others who are looking for more prestige will be Dilhani Lekamge (women's javelin throw), Jani Chaturangani (women's 100m) and Kasun Kalhara (men's 400m).