Qualifies for IAAF World Championship:

Nadeeka wins Silver in Javelin throw

Prince Gunasekara reporting from Pune, India

Sri Lanka’s Nadeeka Lakmali won the Silver medal in women’s javelin throw event and set up a new Sri Lanka record yesterday at the on-going Asian Athletics Championship held in Pune, India.

Lakmali, who had won all the three Legs in the recently concluded Asian Grand Prix, recorded remarkable distance of 60.16 metres. The 31-year-old Lankan javelin thrower bettered the previous Asian Athletics Championship record of 58.35 metres.

“When I had been training hard in Finland I had a good spirit and strong mentality to achieve this outstanding feat. I am greatly happy to achieve this distance in my pet event,” said a delighted Lakmali.

Lakmali is only the second Sri Lankan athlete to qualify for the IAAF World Championship to be held in Moscow next month following United States based Christine Sonali Merril, who was first to qualify to compete in the women’s 400m hurdles.

Meanwhile, Sujani Buddhika qualified for the women’s 200m finals which will be held today. Buddhika finished in 24.25 seconds to qualify in the 200m finals.

Sri Lanka will field Christine Sonali Merril in the 400m hurdles, high jumper Manjula Kumara and both men and women’s 400m relay quartets today.