Sri Lanka missed more medal winning chances at Asian Youth Athletics - SLA President

Young Sri Lankan medal winners at the BIA arrival lounge

By Susil Premalal   

The performance of Sri Lankan athletes in the Asian Youth Athletic Championship was Impressive but they missed the opportunity to win some more medals, Sri Lanka Athletic (SLA) President Maj. Gen. Palitha Fernando told ‘Daily Mirror’.   

Sri Lanka managed to win two silver and two bronze medals at the 5th Asian Youth (U-18) Athletic Championship 2023 held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Five boys and two girls participated in this tournament. Two boys and one girl failed to win a medal.   

Meanwhile, pole vault silver medallist Thushen Silva faced some inconvenience when his personal pole was not allowed at the Sri Lankan airport, but he managed to finish his event clearing 4.70 metres by using another pole in Uzbekistan, so there was no injustice to him, said the SLA president.   

Maj. Gen. Fernando also said that Lesandu Arthavidu, who participated in the High Jump Boys event, missed the chance to win a bronze medal after clearing a height of 1.90m.   

In this year’s tournament, Nilupul Pahasara of Dickwella Vijitha MMV won a silver medal in the high jump event and Thushen Silva of Maris Stela College , Negombo won a silver medal in the pole vault event. In addition, bronze medals were won by Ayomal Akalanka of Ambagamuwa MMV, Nawalapitiya (Boys 400m hurdles) and Kasuni Wickramasinghe of Wickramabahu National School, Gampola (Girls 800m).