Tough competition awaits for SL at Asian Grand Prix-1st leg on Tuesday (4th)
Team of nine athletes will be in action at the first of the two legs Asian Grand Prix series at the Jiangjin, China on Tuesday(4th).
The team took wing to China last Sunday. Unlike on previous occasions, both legs of the Asian Grand Prix will be held at the same town Jiangjin , Chongqing today and 7 June. With the lack of local competitions due to the prevailing security situation in the country, it will be important for athletes to perform well in both legs of the meet, as it will help them to earn points which will affect their world ranking positions.
It is especially important since the world governing body; IAAF opted for world rankings instead of the traditional method of qualifying times to select athletes for major global championships, with more credence and points given to performances at international – rather than local events.
Sri Lanka has won 46 Gold, 51 Silver and 49 Bronze medal so far in Asian Grand Prix history .
The competition feature several medalists from last Asian Athletics championship where none of the Sri Lankan athletes are in a shot for a gold medal, based on start lists. They will have to perform their personal best to get into the podium position.
Coach of Nadeesha Ramanayaka, Muddika Thushara is acting as the manager of the tour.
Team :
Men: Ajith Premakumara (400m), Rusiru Chathuranga (800m), Sumedha Ranasinghe (Javelin Throw), Greshan Dhananjaya (Triple Jump)
Women: Nadeesha Ramanayaka (400m), Nimali Liyanarachchi (800m), Gayanthika Abeyrathne (800m), Dulanjali Ranasinghe (High Jump), Tharika Fernando (Shot Put)
Manager – Muddika Thusaha Willaddaragamage (Coach of Nadeesha )
Schedule (4th June) SL time
4.00Pm Women’s Shot Put (Tharika)
4.10Pm- Men’s Triple Jump (Greshan)
4.30pm- men’s Javelin Throw (Sumedha Ranasinghe)
5.20pm- Women’s 800M (Nimali and Gayanthika)
5.30pm- Men’s 800M (Rusiru)
5.55pm- Women’s 400m (Nadeesha)
6.00pm- Women’s High Jump-(Dulanjali)
6.15pm- Men’s 400M (Ajith)
