The 26th edition of the Asian Athletics Championships officially came to a close on the 31st of May, wrapping up the month after a week of intense regional athletic competition. Despite hopes for a stronger finish, Sri Lanka concluded its campaign with three bronze medals, securing the 18th position on the overall medals table.
The final day yielded no additional medals for Sri Lanka, as this day of the championship, none of the three Sri Lankan athletes who took to the field were able to add to the country’s medal tally. Hopes were particularly high in the men’s javelin throw event, a discipline where Sri Lanka has shown promise in recent years.
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Medal Hopes Dashed in Men’s Javelin Throw
Sri Lanka was represented by Sumedha Ranasinghe and Rumesha Tharanga in the final round of the men’s javelin throw. However, it was Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan- the reigning Olympic champion- who dominated the event, claiming gold with a remarkable throw of 86.40 meters.
Rumesha Tharanga delivered a commendable performance, registering a best throw of 83.27 meters, and only narrowly missed out on the podium, finishing in fourth place overall. Sumedha Ranasinghe, with a throw of 79.81 meters, secured seventh place.
Consequently, in the women’s 5000-meter final, Rasara Wijesooriya was the sole Sri Lankan contender. She completed the race in 16 minutes and 29.15 seconds, earning her the 11th spot among a very competitive field.
Overall Medal Standings: China Dominates, India Follows
Sri Lanka’s three bronze medals earned the nation 18th place in the final standings. China dominated the medal table with a commanding 19 golds and a total of 32 medals. India secured second place with 8 gold medals and an overall count of 24 medals, showcasing just how strong these teams are and how big a mountain there is to climb against such countries on an international level.
As this five-day championship concludes, attention now shifts to the upcoming international athletics calendar, with athletes and fans alike looking ahead to the next major challenges on the road to global competition. We are proud of our Sri Lankan athletes and wish them good luck for the upcoming meets they will face this year.
Stay tuned to ThePapare, Sri Lanka’s No.1 sports platform, for in-depth coverage, exclusive updates, and all the latest from both local and international athletics, as we look forward to what the end of the year entails.
