Sports
Asian Games medals cap remarkable year in track and field sports
by Reemus Fernando
Ending a decades long medal drought at the Asian Games was the most remarkable accomplishment by the track and field athletes during 2023. From schoolgirl Tharushi Karunaratne’s triumphant entry into track and field folklore to the men’s 4×400 metres team’s record-breaking feat at the Asian Athletics Championships breathed life into otherwise forgotten disciplines in the country’s sporting landscape.
The Ratnayake Central Walala prodigy had already showcased her potentials when she brushed shoulders against the likes of Gayanthika Abeyratne in the 800 metres and Nadeesha Ramanayake in the 400 metres during the previous year. The season opening trial in March was where Karunaratne exhibited her prowess first this year, winning the 800 metres in an Asia leading time of 2:01.39 seconds at Diyagama. It was followed by an impressive 53.41 seconds triumph in the 400 metres.
At the Asian Junior Championships, she bagged three medals including two golds. She was some five seconds clear of the silver medal winner when she sealed the gold in the 800 metres in a 2:05.64 seconds feat at the Yecheon Stadium in Yecheon, South Korea. Then she clinched the silver in the 400 metres while Jayeshi Uththara bagged the bronze. The 4×400 metres mixed relay gold was won in a new national record time when she joined Uththara, Vinod Ariyawansa and Shehan Dilranga. The other medal, a bronze was won by Kahawatta Central athlete Malith Yasiru who cleared 15.82 metres in the triple jump.
The Asian Athletics Championship held in Thailand was a remarkable success as Sri Lanka won eight medals including three golds. Sri Lanka men’s 4×400 metres team inclusive of Aruna Dharshana, Kalinga Kumarage, Pabasara Niku and Rajitha Rajakaruna smashed the meet record to win gold in a time of 3:01.56 seconds. They beat formidable India to the second place and shocked relay enthusiasts earning applauds from even rivals in a World Championship year.
They could not repeat the same feat at the Asian Games and the World Championships but the future looks bright for the relay team as three out of the four medallists are still in their early 20s. The other two gold medals were won by Karunaratne and Nadeesha Ramanayake. Karunaratne won the 800 metres gold in a new championship record time of 2:00.66 seconds, which Ramanayake stopped the clock in the 400 metres in a new personal best of 52.61 seconds. Veteran Gayanthika Abeyratne won bronze medals in the 800 metres and the 1,500 metres.
When Sri Lanka entered the Asian Games this year the country had endured a medal drought in track and field since 2006. Tharushi Karunaratne, the men’s 4×400 metres team, the women’s 4×400 metres team and Dilhani Lekamge combined to win four medals for Sri Lanka. While Karunaratne beat a strong field to win the 800 metres gold, the men’s 4×400 metres team settled for bronze behind India and Qatar. Lekamge threw the javelin to a new national record distance of 61.57 metres to clinch the silver medal. The women’s 4×400 metres team inclusive of Karunaratne, Ramanayake, Uththara and Lakshima Mendis settled for bronze behind Bahrain and India.
While victories at Asian Level were the top performances of the track and field team, triple jumper Shreshan Dhananjaya decamping during a competition in Europe and steeplechaser Nilani Ratnayake’s suspension due to a doping violation were the real low points of an otherwise remarkable year.
The country could not have the services of two leading athletes at Asian level this year. While Italy based sprinter Yupun Abeykoon who had produced a phenomenal sub ten seconds performance in the 100 metres had to withdraw from the team due to an injury, US based high jumper Ushan Thivanka did not make himself available due to reasons best known to him.
With their probable return Sri Lanka can only look forward to better performances during the Olympic year.
Canada captain Dilpreet Bajwa won the toss and asked South Africa to bat in their World Cup opener in Ahmedabad.
South Africa have opted for a pace-heavy attack. Keshav Maharaj slots in as their only spinner, alongside the speedy quartet of Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi. Tristan Stubbs also begins the tournament at the No. 6 spot – a position Jason Smith had occupied in their last T20I, while Stubbs had slid down to No. 7. Smith is in the World Cup squad but did not find a spot in South Africa’s starting eleven.
South Africa’s pace is expected to get the most out of a characteristically flat Ahmedabad black-soil pitch. But first, their batters will have a hit in a game they begin as overwhelming favourites against Canada, who are their second World Cup.
Canada’s new captain, Bajwa, will lead the side at a global tournament for the first time. He also slots in at the top of the order, alongside Yuvraj Samra, and their batting power will be key to their hopes of causing a massive upset.
Canada have lost both their warm-up games – to Italy and Nepal – but should their batters come off on a friendly pitch, South Africa will look to have the added insurance of a few more runs in the bank before dew takes over when Canada begin their chase at night.
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (capt), Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi
Canada: Dilpreet Bajwa (capt), Yuvraj Samra, Navneet Dhaliwal, Nicholas Kirton, Shreyas Movva, Harsh Thaker, Saad Bin Zafar, Jaskaran Singh, Dilon Heyliger, Kaleem Sana, Ansh Patel
(Cricinfo)
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza decided to field first against Oman in the men’s T20 World Cup match at the SSC in Colombo. Both teams were pleased to arrive in Sri Lanka early to get themselves attuned to the conditions.
Zimbabwe have Blessing Muzarabani back in the squad after he missed the tri-series in Pakistan in November.
Oman, meanwhile, include 44-year-old Aaamir Kaleem the oldest player in the tournament – after he came into the side in place of Hasnain Shah, who was injured after the squad was named.
Zimbabwe return to the tournament after missing out on the previous edition in West Indies and the United States of America. They had made it to the Super 12s of the 2022 T20 World Cup but failed to progress through the qualifiers for the 2024 tournament. They completed qualification alongside Namibia; Brian Bennett was the tournament’s top run-scorer, while Brad Evans and Richard Ngarava were among the leading wicket-takers.
Zimbabwe are bolstered by the return of Graeme Cremer, whose November 2025 comeback marked the longest gap between T20I appearances.
Oman are one of three qualifiers from the Asia-Pacific region, alongside Nepal and the UAE. They have previously appeared in the 2016, 2021, and 2024 editions of the T20 World Cup.
Oman: Jatinder Singh (capt), Aamir Kaleem, Hammad Mirza, Wasim Ali, Karan Sonavale, Jiten Ramanandi, Vinayak Shukla (wk), Sufyan Mehmood, Nadeem Khan, Shah Faisal, Shakeel Ahmad
Zimbabwe: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Dion Myers, Brendan Taylor (wk), Sikandar Raza (capt), Ryan Burl, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani
Scotland may have suffered a blip the last time they faced Italy in a T20I but ensured they picked up the first points of their 2026 T20 World Cup campaign after a dominant performance at Eden Gardens. George Munsey’s 54-ball 84, supported by cameos from Brandon McMullen and Michael Leask, followed by Leask’s four-wicket haul helped Scotland spoil Italy’s debut in the tournament. The 73-run win gave Scotland two points after their defeat to West Indies in Kolkata two days ago.
Brief scores:
Scotland 207 for 4 in 20 overs (George Munsey 84, Michael Jones 37, Brandon McMullen 41, Richie Berrington 15, Michael Leask 22*; Ali Hasan 1-21, Grant Stewart 1-44, Thomas Draca 1-37, JJ Smuts 1-38) beat Italy 134 in 16.4 overs (Anthony Mosca 13, JJ Smutts 22, Harry Manenti 52; Michael Leask 4-17, Brad Currie 1-12, Brad Wheal 1-29, Mark Watt 2-24, Oliver Davidson 1-33 ) by 73 runs
(Cricinfo)
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