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Sarangi, Anjani win Gold and Silver in Long Jump

After losing some anticipated Gold medals in the morning, the two long jumpers Sarangi Silva and Anjani Pulwansa put Sri Lanka in a celebratory mood by winning the Gold and Silver medals respectively.

Sarangi could not perform well during the trials and it was Vidusha Lakshani and Anjani Pulwansa who were selected to compete in the event. Sarangi was only selected for the 4x100m relay team. The 23-year-old soldier performed well following the trials thereafter during the World Military Games, after which she made an appeal to be included for the long jump event, which wasn’t fruitful. But with Vidusha, who has just recovered from an injury and focusing on the triple jump, Sarangi got a lifeline at the last minute to compete in her pet event.

The former South Asian Junior Gold medallist hailing from Sri Sumangala BV Panadura, did not disappoint as all four of her jumps exceeded 6.10m (6.13, 6.38, 6.16 and 6.25), with the winning leap of 6.38m, her personal best, coming in the second attempt.

“I think I was lucky enough to get the chance at the last minute. I haven’t trained the long jump during last month, but once my entry was confirmed I was murmuring our National Anthem since last evening and wanted to play that here in the stadium today, which has now come true,” said a jubilant Sarangi after the event.

Anjani too leaped her personal best with an attempt of 6.11m, even though she had four fouls during the six attempts. The duo gave a moment of joy for the Sri Lanka team after missing out on Gold in the men’s 200m and long jump.

In the men’s long Jump Amila Jayasiri and Gayan Sampath, who have leapt more than 8m several times, could not seal at least the Bronze medal. Vinoj Suranjaya de Silva, who continually suffered from fever, could not defend his 200m title and had to settle for the Silver, clocking 21.19 seconds with Uzair Rehman of Pakistan winning the Gold (21.15 sec).

Kumar Shanmugeshwaran claimed the first medal of the day with a Silver in the Men’s 10000m after a close battle with the Indian runner Suresh Kumar, while Ishara Madurangi won the Bronze medal in the Discus Throw.

Gold Medals

Sarangi Silva (Long Jump)

Nilani Rathnayaka (1500m)

Silver Medals

Himasha Eashan (100m)

Vinoj Suranjaya de Silva (200m)

Amasha de Silva (100m)

Anjani Pulwansa (Long Jump)