The 26th edition of the Asian Athletics Championships officially commenced this morning, on May 27th, in Gumi, South Korea. On the very first day, a number of Sri Lankan athletes took to the field, showcasing a blend of promise, potential, and performance. While some competitors delivered as expected and advanced to final rounds, others unfortunately fell short of their goals.
Lesandu Arthawidu Jumps into the Finals
Among the earliest events of the day was the men’s high jump qualification, where Lesandu Arthawidu, competing in Group B, comfortably cleared a height of 2.10 meters, earning him a well-deserved spot in the final round.
Aruna Falls Behind; Kalinga Carries the Flag Forward
In the men’s 400 meters, one of Sri Lanka’s most anticipated events for potential medal contention, there were varied performances.
Aruna Darshana, competing in the first heat of the opening round, recorded a time of 48.10 seconds, which placed him 6th in his heat. Compared to his personal best, this was a run that did not come close, thereby not enough to progress to the next stage.
However, Kalinga Kumar, running in the third heat, clocked 46.59 seconds, finishing second and thereby securing qualification for the semifinal round. His momentum didn’t stop there—Kalinga went on to run 45.74 seconds in the semifinal, again finishing second in his heat and qualifying for the final with the second-fastest time overall from the semis. His consistent improvement marks him as a strong contender moving forward, and we look forward to his final run.
Nadeesha Progresses; Nishendra Misses Out
In the women’s 400 meters, Nishendra Fernando, who competed in the first heat, clocked 53.81 seconds, which placed her 4th in her heat. Unfortunately, that timing was not sufficient to make the cut for the final.
On the other hand, Nadeesha Ramanayake, running in the second heat, posted a slightly faster time of 53.77 seconds, enough to earn her a spot in the final. Her performance was steady and showed her typical rhythmic form, keeping Sri Lankan hopes alive in this category.
Nadeesha Lekamge Falls Short in Javelin Final
In the women’s javelin throw final, Nadeesha Lekamge managed a best throw of 55.53 meters, which placed her in 6th position overall. While being a decent distance, it was not quite enough for a podium finish.
The gold medal in this event was claimed by China’s Su Lingdan, with an impressive throw of 63.29 meters, underlining the competitive gap Sri Lanka still needs to bridge in field events.
Chamod Fills the Void Left by Yupun Abeykoon
The absence of Yupun Abeykoon, Sri Lanka’s star sprinter and one of Asia’s fastest men, was noticeable in the men’s 100 meters. Yupun did not compete in today’s heats, but Chamod Yodhasinghe rose to the occasion in a very competitive event.. Competing in the second heat, Chamod impressed by finishing first with a time of 10.40 seconds, thereby advancing to the semifinals. His performance was a timely and much-needed boost in Yupun’s absence, keeping Sri Lanka in contention in the sprint events.
Looking Ahead to May 28 – A Crucial Day for Sri Lanka
Tomorrow promises to be a decisive day for Sri Lanka at the 26th Asian Athletics Championships, with multiple key events on the schedule:
- Men’s 100m Semifinals & Final – Chamod Yodhasinghe set to race.
- Women’s 400m Final – Nadeesha Ramanayake aims for a podium finish.
- Men’s 400m Final – Kalinga Kumar, with one of the best semifinal times, will look to convert momentum into a medal.
- Mixed 4×400m Heats & Final – Sri Lanka to compete with expectations of strong teamwork.
We wish our athletes all the best for the upcoming finals, and hope they will be able to perform to the best of their abilities. Stay tuned with ThePapare, Sri Lanka’s No.1 Sports Channel, for all the latest results, highlights, and updates as our athletes continue to compete on the continental stage.
