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| Sunday, 27 June 2004 |
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Sri Lanka looks to Susanthika and Co. for better show today by Leslie Fernando The performances of Sri Lanka's top athletes in the 'first leg' of the Asian Grand Prix 2004 in Thailand is cause for concern and therefore today (Sunday) 'second leg' of the Asian Grand Prix at the Sugathadasa Stadium should be of much significance with the Athens Olympics 2004 just a month away. In that perspective, today's big happening is all about stamina and Susanthika Jayasinghe who is looking for another Olympic 'Gold' should improve on her relatively poor timing in Thailand. Susanthika was not at the best, winning the 200 metres with a timing of 23.34 seconds. She beat Saraswati Saha of India to second place in this event. Today Susanthika will have lot of pressure from Saha, Lisha Chen of China, Lynbow Perepelina of Uzbekistan, Ayumi Susuki of Japan, Guzet Khubbieva also from Uzbekistan. Susanthika, along with Damayanthi Darsha who finished 3rd in the 400 metres 'clocking' 52.83 seconds, Rohan Pradeep Kumara Fernando - the winner of the 400 metres for men in the 'first leg' with a time of 45.83 seconds and Sugath Tillekaratne who was a non-runner in Thailand, will be put to the test by a strong Asian line-up. Darsha will have to face yet another strong challenge from China's Bu Feng Fang and India's K. M. Bonenamol, in the 400 metres. Darsha and Tillekaratne appear to be over the hill in their athletic career. Tillekaratne cut a poor figure like at the SAF Games in Islamabad, failing even to show up on the blocks. Chaminda Wijekoon who won the third place in men's 1,500 metres event in 3 minutes and 58 seconds and sprinter Jani Chathurangani Silva who finished fourth in women's 200 metres, will make every effort to improve on their performances today. Sri Lanka's men's 4x400 metres relay team (an event in which Sri Lanka would look forward to represent at the Athens Olympics 2004) comprising Rohan Pradeep Kumara Fernando, Ranga Wimalawansa, Prasanna Amarasekera and Manoj Pushpakumara settled for second place in Thailand with a time of 3 minutes and 5.00 seconds. Indian relay quartet - led by Manoj Lal, Patel, Ashok and Ramatook took first spot 'clocking' 3 minutes 3.10 seconds. Today, the Sri Lankan relay quartet should provide a stiff challenge to India, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan relay teams and come out on top. Rohan Pradeep Kumara Fernando should go flat-out to retain the men's 400 metres event. He will be strongly challenged by Al Bishi of Saudi Arabia, Anju George and Anil Kumar both of India, Jun He and Yaozu Yang both from China. Over 150 foreign athletes participated in the first leg in Thailand and around 104 competitors will be seen in action today the second leg at the Sugathadasa Stadium. After the Colombo Grand Prix, the athletes will fly to the Philippines on June 29 to compete in Manila on July 1. |
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