Sri Lankan Youth Quarter miler, Dilan Bogoda made easy work of the second heat of the Boy’s 400m at the Asian Area Qualification for Youth Olympic Games 2018, as he stormed to victory in Bangkok, Thailand.
Bogoda, who is currently the Asian top seed in the 400m for Boys Under 18, lived up to the expectations crusing ahead to finish 1st in the 2nd Heat of the event. Bogoda clocked 48.66secs, the best time recorded in the heats, to qualify for the final which will be worked off at 2.40pm (SL Time) today (4th). Yu Hasuan Wang of Chinese Taipei won the other 1st heat, clocking a time of 50.74secs.
With Asia receiving a quota of 5 athletes for the Youth Olympics Bogoda is well on course to securing a spot at the Games scheduled to be held in Argentina as he looks to win the final of the event.
Three more Sri Lankan athletes will feature in competitions today. High Jumper Seniru Amarasinghe, who is currently ranked 3rd in the U18 age group in Asia for his personal best 2.00m, will be vying for a top four finish in the final which will be held at 1.40pm (SL Time)
Meanwhile, Samudika Herath of Walala A Ratnayake College will take the field at 2.25pm (SL Time) in the Girls’ 1500m. Herath is currently ranked fifth in Asia for her personal best time of 4:36.71 and will be hoping to push for a top 3 spot in the final.
The two steeple chasers from Kuliyapitiya Central College, Parami Wasanthi and Asmika Herath, are ranked No 01 & 02 in the Girl’s 2000m steeple chase. Parami rose to glory at the Asian Junior Athletic Championship, winning the Gold medal with a huge improvement in her personal best which paved the way for her to qualify for the IAAF World Youth championship which will be held in Finland next week. With a quota of 02 available for Asia in the event both Sri Lankan athletes are expected to make the cut. The final of the event will commence at 3.20pm (SL Time).
