Sports
An American hurdling for Sri Lanka at Olympics
Waiting for the next Olympic hurdler – Part IV
by Reemus Fernando
In the year 2012, the US had more than dozen female athletes who had run the 400 metres hurdles faster than the IAAF qualifying standard (both ‘A’ and ‘B’) for the London Olympics. The ‘B’ grade qualifying standard was 56.65 seconds. While the countries like Sri Lanka were struggling to qualify athletes for Olympics, the US had a surplus. In fact, in hurdling, the whole of Asia had only three female athletes, the Japanese pair Satomi Kubokura (55.34) and Sayaka Aoki (56.62) and the Chinese Xiaoxiao Huang (56.58), who had run the discipline under the qualifying mark in 2011. By the end of July 2012, six others had managed to run under the ‘A’ and ‘B’ grade standards for Olympics from Asia. During the Olympic qualifying period, the fastest performance of Christine Merrill, born in Bakersfield, a city in Kern County, California was 56.83 seconds. Even achieving an ‘A’ grade qualifying standard does not guarantee a place in the US team for the Olympics. US athletes have to face a trial as there is an excess of qualified athletes to select from.
When more than dozen qualified US hurdlers who could not punch their ticket to the 2012 Olympics were watching the London Olympics on TV back in the US, Christine Merrill took the starters orders in the women’s 400 metres hurdles heats at the London Olympic Stadium. However, neither her name nor her country’s was announced before the race. When she completed the race, last in the fifth heat, she became the first female athlete to have represented Sri Lanka in the 400 metres hurdles at an Olympics. It was not that someone had illegally taken her to the Olympic Village. It all became possible because of her mother’s Sri Lankan origin.
With its massive TV viewer strength, the US has a huge influence when deciding disciplines of the Olympics. The women’s 400 metres hurdles made its debut when the US hosted the Games for the third time in Atlanta in 1984. Six editions after the women’s 400 metres hurdles made its debut Sri Lanka made its namesake first female representation in the 400 metres hurdles in London in 2012. It all became possible because Sri Lanka Athletics had started to look outside for formidable athletes of Sri Lankan origin to form teams for international events. Merrill also represented the country at the 2011 World Championships and also made herself available for championships held in Sri Lanka. A year after her Olympic representation she clocked 56.45 at a competition in the USA. It is the current Sri Lanka national record. Had she not made herself available for Sri Lankan representation by 2011, probably the country would have given its Olympic wildcard to a locally grown sprinter Chandrika Subashini who had clocked 52.52 seconds in the 400 metres flat event in 2011. Subashini was placed fourth at 2011 Asian Championship in Kobe. Later she was elevated to silver medal position after initial gold and silver medallists Kazakhstan’s Olga Tereshkova and Iraq’s Gulustan Ieso, were disqualified after testing positive for banned substances.
Not many have persevered in the 400 metres hurdles in the women’s category at the senior level. Lack of competition has produced sub-standard performances at the national level. Nimali Liyanarachchi who is representing Sri Lanka at the Tokyo Olympics once tried her luck in this discipline clocking 60.85 seconds. While the country’s national record in the women’s 400 metres is held by a US citizen, the country’s national championship record of that discipline is held by a British national, Selvagowry Retchakan. Selvagowry’s National Championship record of 57.5 secs (hand timing) is 30 years old now.
Selvagowry emerged as a future prospect for Sri Lanka from Chandikulam Balika. She represented Sri Lanka at the Asian Games in 1982. But she developed as a force to be reckoned in world athletics only after she moved to the UK. When she took part in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, where she ran her lifetime best of 54.63 seconds over the 400 metres hurdles, she was representing the UK. She won two world level medals for the UK when she finished second in the 400 metres hurdles at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games and the1992 IAAF World Cup in Havana.
Daniel Munoz has fired Colombia into the World Cup round of 32 with a 1-0 win over the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Group K after goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi had threatened to turn the match into a night of frustration.
Munoz struck the winner from the right side of the penalty area in the 76th minute on Tuesday, finally beating Mpasi, who had repeatedly denied Colombia with an inspired performance.
Colombia, who opened their World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, commanded possession and created numerous chances.
James Rodriguez, making his 10th World Cup appearance to equal the Colombian record jointly held by Freddy Rincon and Carlos Valderrama, forced Mpasi into action with a powerful strike in the 11th minute.
The goalkeeper stood firm, repelling efforts from Jhon Arias and winger Luis Diaz, who came close to breaking the deadlock in the 18th minute, controlling a chipped pass inside the penalty area, turning smartly, and firing a shot goal-wards, only for Mpasi to save it with his foot.
The African side, buoyed by their opening 1-1 deaw with Portugal, threatened sporadically through Edo Kayembe, Cedric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa, but lacked a clinical finish.
By half-time, Colombia had registered 15 shots, including six on target, with nine of their 10 outfield players attempting efforts.
In the stands, DR Congo had support from Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, the team’s famous “living statue” fan, who made his World Cup debut after missing the opener against Portugal because of Ebola quarantine requirements.
Colombia resumed on the front foot after the break, with Diaz forcing another fine save from Mpasi in the 51st minute before Arias dragged the rebound wide.
Wissa almost snatched the lead for DR Congo in the 73rd minute, when his shot from Simon Banza’s assist was blocked, but Colombia struck shortly after through Munoz.
Diaz later thought he had doubled the advantage with a finish into the top corner, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.
Colombia moved to six points from two matches and guaranteed their progress to the knockout stage ahead of their final group game against Portugal, who beat Uzbekistan 5-0 earlier on Tuesday.
DR Congo remained on one point and will need a result against Uzbekistan to keep their qualification hopes alive.
[Aljazeera]
Sri Lanka’s small but highly successful contingent returned with an impressive haul of three medals from the Malaysian Open Athletics Championship, which concluded on Sunday, and all three athletes representing the country finished on the podium.
Leading the way was high jumper Tharindu Dasun, who produced a personal best performance to claim the gold medal in the men’s high jump. The 26-year-old cleared 2.22 metres, surpassing his previous personal best and securing top place in the competition. The achievement marks another significant milestone for the jumper in an important year inclusive of several international competitions.
Tharindu Dasun reached his personal best in the high jump.
Middle-distance runner Harsha Karunaratne added a second gold medal for Sri Lanka with a strong performance in the men’s 800 metres. Karunaratne crossed the finish line in 1 minute and 50.61 seconds to secure first place and underline his consistency in the event.
Meanwhile, hurdler Roshan Ranatunga contributed the third medal by finishing second in the men’s 110 metres hurdles. Ranatunga clocked 14.19 seconds to earn the silver medal and complete a perfect medal-winning campaign for the Sri Lankan team.
With only three athletes competing, Sri Lanka achieved a remarkable 100 percent medal success, collecting two gold medals and one silver medal from the championship.
Roshan Ranatunga settled for silver in the 110 metres hurdles.
The team was accompanied by Thiron Gamage, the coach of Ranatunga, who served as the team manager and coach during the tour.
”It is important that athletes compete in events like these as better conditions help them improve, Gamage told The Island.
”The preperation of the athletes and their coaches helped them do well.
Harsha Karunaratne won the men’s 800 metres gold.
”Dasun used the conditions well to reach his pb. Harsha did not have much competition for him to push for a better timing as he won easily,” said Gamage.
Commenting on his own athlete Roshan, he said that the hurdler will improve during the season as he is getting back to competition after recovering from an injury.
Sri Lanka team with coach Thiron Gamage (left).
The outstanding performances in Malaysia provide a timely boost for Sri Lankan athletics ahead of several major international assignments. Sri Lanka Athletics will now turn their attention to crucial upcoming competitions, including the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, where Sri Lanka will be looking to build on the momentum generated by successful campaigns such as these.
Dasun’s personal-best clearance of 2.22 metres stood out as the highlight of the championship for Sri Lanka. (RF)
Sports
HNB Assurance, Hayleys Group ‘B’, Maliban Biscuits and Power Hand Plantations undefeated as league stage concludes
CDB –MCA T10 CRICKET TOURNAMENT 2026 [TIER B]
HNB Assurance, Hayleys Group ‘B’, Maliban Biscuits and Power Hand Plantations topped their respective groups as the league stage of the CDB sponsored MCA T10 Cricket Tournament was concluded on Sunday.
On Sunday, English Tea Shop, Camera LK, Hayleys ‘B’ and Power Hand Plantations registered two wins each while HNB Assurance, Maliban Biscuits and Peoples Leasing registered a win each. The game between Stafford Motors and South Asian Technologies ended in a tie.
At the Mercantile Cricket Association ground, English Tea Shop defeated Akbar Brothers by 22 runs and Heshan Flex by 41 runs to clinch second spot in Group A of the tournament while HNB Assurance beat Heshan Flex to lead the group undefeated. Maliban Biscuits beat Seylan Bank to emerge undefeated leaders of Group ‘C’.
At the Ananda College grounds, both Hayleys ‘B’ and Camera LK registered two wins each over David Peiris ‘B’ and Siyapatha Finance to take first and second spots of Group ‘B’ respectively.
In the Group ‘ D’ games played at the Nalanda College grounds, Power Hand Plantations defeated both South Asian Technologies and Peoples Leasing to lead the group undefeated while Peoples Leasing defeated Stafford Motors to clinch second spot. The game between South Asian Technologies and Stafford Motors ended in a thrilling tie.
At the MCA grounds:
English Tea Shop won by 22 runs
English Tea Shop 102/5 in 10 overs
[Nuwan Wijesinghe 14, Ramesh Fernando 42, Lahiru Gamage 20, Gaveen Gunarathna 10*; Roshen Perera 2-20, Chinthaka Shriyantha 1-18]
Akbar Brothers Group 80/6 in 10 overs
[Chathura Devinda 20, Sahan Sankalpa 23, Pasindu Botheju 15, Tharanga Kumara 11; Oshanda Wickremesinghe 1-08, Gaveen Gunarthne 2-22, Lahiru Gamage 1-10, Ramesh Fernando 1-14]
Pasindu, Taariq power HNB Assurance to an 83 run win
HNB Assurance 164/3 in 10 overs
[Lahiru Sithpriya 21, Dasun Abeywardena 13, Pasindu Pathum 84*, Dulanjana Wijesinghe 10, Chamod Piyumal 29*; Nuwan Hettiarachchi 2-24, Akila Madushanka 1-15]
Heshan Flex 81/8 in 10 overs
[Akila Madushanka 17, Chamath Hirantha 12, Asitha Nilanga 25*; Taariq Naziar 4-07, Dulanjana Wijesinghe 2-16, Milinda Sanjaya 1-24, Lahiru Sithpriya 1-03]
English Tea Shop beat Heshan Flex by 41runs
English Tea Shop 93/8 in10 overs
[Nuwan Wijesinghe 41, Oshadha Wickramasinghe 22; Akila Madushanka 2-21, Shamala Asokan 1-13, Rasika Chandana 4-11]
Heshan Flex 52/10 in 8.4 overs
[Sapumal Senanayake 22; Oshadha Wickramasinghe 2-18, Gaveen Gunarathne 3-05, Semila Liyanage 3-18, Gihan Madushanka 2-08]
Maliban Biscuits beat Seylan Bank by 39 runs
Maliban Biscuits 113/7 in 10 overs
[Mohomad Shilmi 32, Chathuranga Dewapriya 45; Chanuka Santhush 1-22, Nimesh Jayamaha 1-17, Nishane Fernando 2-17, Shehan Deen 2-28]
Seylan Bank 74/6 in 10 overs
[Nethum Basnayake 22, Chanuka Santhush 11, Nimesh Jayamaha 11; Chamara Rathnayake 2-14, Chathuranga Dewapriya 3-06]
At the Ananda College grounds
Anjana stars as CameraLK beat David Peiris Group by 18 runs
CameraLK 123/5 in 10 overs [Anjana Orton 66*, Asitha Chamara 39; Maleesha Sankalpa 2-23, Amila Jayawardena 1-16, Kasun Chathurapriya 1-30]
David Peiris Group ‘B’ 105/5 in 10 overs
[Vihanga Jayanama 32, Amila Jayawardena 48*; Anushka Gunasinghe 1-10, Anjana Orton 3-20, Kaveesh Sathsara 1-29]
Hayleys ‘B’ beat Siyapatha Finance by 9 wickets
Siyapatha Finance 76/5 in 10 overs
[Gayath Menis 22, Kaveen Bandara 28; Sanuja Niduwara 2-18, Daham Nirmal 1-16, Senal de Silva 1-03, Yasiru Jasinghe 1-16]
Hayleys Group ‘B’ 80/1 in 7 overs
[Yuthika Silva 53*, Lahiru Dawatage 13; Nimesh Lakmal 1-08]
Hayleys ‘B’ beat David Peiris by 8 wickets in 3 over game
David Peiris Group ‘B’ 33/0 in 3 overs
[Vihanga Jayanama 15*, Amila Jayawardena 15*]
Hayleys Group ‘B’ 34/2 in 2.4 overs
[Lahiru Dawatage 28*; Amila Jayawardena 1-16]
Camera LK beat Siyapatha Finance by 2 wickets
Siyapatha Finance 88/8 in 10 overs [Gayath Mendis 25, Kaveen Bandara 34, Niroshan Dihan 15; Anushka Gunasinghe 1-23, Ranmira Fernando 1-17, Kasun Madushanka 2-13, Kaveesh Sathsara 3-11]
Camera LK 89/8 in 9.2 overs
[Theekshana Maduwantha 13, Kasun Madushanka 15, Anushka Gunasinghe 13, Asitha Chamara 16; Chamith Kularathne 1-07, Nimesh Lakmal 1-07, Kaveen Bandara 3-25, Malith Pathirana 2-08]
At the Nalanda College grounds:
Ruwin and Waruna star in Power Hand Plantations’ nine wicket win
South Asian Technologies 57/10 in 9.5 overs
[Suviru Sathminda 13, Lasantha Kamalal 14, Maoshada Fernando 15; Tharindu Silva 2-10, Waruna Mayantha 1-12, Hirusha Dulanja 2-22, Ruwin Sankalpa 4-06]
Power Hand Plantations 61/1in 6 overs
[Waruna Mayantha 40*, Kasun Vidura 18; Dilshan Maduwantha 1-16]
Peoples Leasing beat Stafford Motors by 32 runs on DLS
Peoples Leasing 85/6 in 10 overs
[Arrokkiyanathar Vinoshan 21, Chathura Anuradha 28, Ashen Kavinda 21; Sanjaya Fernando 2-12, Asanka Kumarage 1-27, Sanjeewa Vishan 1-07]
Stafford Motors 44/6 in 9 overs
[Gajidu Yasas 11, Sajeewa Vishen 13; Isuru Gunasekera 1-06, SanathDasanayaka 1-13, Nadun Kulathilake 2-05, Arjuna Perera 2-05]
Power Hand Plantations by 29 runs
Power Hand Plantations 113/6 in 10 overs
[Kasun Viduea 12, Thisura Udara 25, Hirusha Dulanja 21*, Pulasthi Athapaththu 32; Arrokkiyanathar Vinoshan 3-17, Arjuna Perera 1-14, Isuru Gunasekera 2-16]
Peoples Leasing PLC 84/4 in 10 overs
[Isuru Gunasekera 15, Chamila Bandara 13, Chathura Anuradha 17, Esitha Gimhana 14, Ashen Kavinda 14*; Dhanushka Ranasinghe 1-17, Tharindu Silva 1-21, Ruwin Sankalpa 1-05, Waruna Mayantha 1-17]
Stafford Motors vs South Asian Technologies SC tied
Stafford Motors 103/5 in 10 overs
[Gajindu Yasas 53, Sanjaya Fernando 14, Sajeewa Vishan 23*; Dilshan Maduwantha 1-19, Maoshada Fernando 2-19, Chamod Rathnayake 1-23]
South Asian Technologies SC 103/6 in 10 overs
[Lasantha Kamalal 24, Maneendeera Jayathilake 20, Dilshan Maduwantha 10, Risith Ishara 18; Shanaka Sampath 3-21, Janith Maduwantha 1-19, Asanka Kumarage 1-14, Sanjaya Fernando 1-16]
Munoz sends Colombia into World Cup knockouts with 1-0 win over DR Congo
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