Nilani proves critics wrong with a Gold Medal

By Naushad Amit reporting from Nepal

Nilani Ratnayake bagged Sri Lanka’s first athletics Gold Medal while edging-out India’s Chanda by milliseconds in the Women’s 1,500m final on the third day of the 13th South Asian Games (SAG) which continued at the Dasharath Rangashala Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal on Tuesday (3).

Nilani Ratnayake won the Women's 1500m to win Sri Lanka's first track and field medal (Pic courtesy Sameera Peiris)

Ratnayake, the current holder of Sri Lanka 5,000m and 3,000m steeplechase, was not an entry in the Women’s 1,500m event, as she was not even considered for the SAG contingent.

But the withdrawal of the celebrated long distance runner, Hiruni Wijayaratne, who was supposed to run the Women’s 5,000m, gave Ratnayake the passage into the team.

Her inclusion was ridiculed by some, but Ratnayake proved all critics wrong with her run and a thrilling final sprint, to clock four minutes and 34.34s.

Her Gold Medal obviously justified the last minute inclusion into the squad in place of Nimali Liyanaarachchi, who had to withdraw after an unfortunate motor accident.

Meanwhile, the fastest man of South Asia, Himasha Eashan failed to impress in the Men’s 100m final, falling short by 0.01s to Maldives’ Saaid Hassan, who pocketed the Gold Medal.

Amasha de Silva gave Sri Lanka’s second Silver Medal in athletics, finishing behind India’s Archana Suseent in the Women’s 100m final.

Dulanjali Ranasinghe cleared 1.69m to claim the Silver Medal in the Women’s high jump event.

Long distance runner Hiruni Wijayaratne failed to live up to the expectations in the Women’s 10,000m event, as she finished fourth.

Eranga Weerasinghe won a Gold Medal in the Women’s duathlon event, which included a 5km run followed by a 20km cycle race and another 2.5km run. 

Results
Women’s 1,500m: 1, Nilani Ratnayaka (Sri Lanka) 4:34.34s, 2, Chanda (India) 4:34.51s, 3, P. U. Chithra (India) 4:35.46s. Men’s 100m: 1, Saaid Hassan (Maldives) 10.49s, 2, Himasha Eashan (Sri Lanka) 10.50s, 3, Sami Ullah (Pakistan) 10.66s. Women’s high jump: 1, M. Jishna (India) 1.73m 2, Dulanjalee Ranasinghe (Sri Lanka) 1.69m, 3, Rubna Yadav (India) 1.69m. Women’s 100m: 1, Archana Suseent (India) 11.80s, 2, Amasha de Silva (Sri Lanka) 11.82s, 3, Lakshika Sugandhi (Sri Lanka) 11.84s. Women’s 10,000m: 1, Santoshi Shrestha 35:07.94s, 2, Kavita Yadav (India) 35:7.95s, 3, Nilani Ariyadasa (Sri Lanka ) 35.59.02s. Women’s duathlon: 1, Eranga Weerasinghe (Sri Lanka) 2, Humi Buda (Nepal) 3, Iresha Kumari (Sri Lanka). Men’s duathlon: 1. Himal Tamata (Nepal), 2, Lakshman Malla (Nepal), 3, Lakmal Perera (Sri Lanka).