16th Asian Junior Athletics Championship:

Kupun disqualified after winning bronze in Chinese Taipei

By Sajeewa Jayakody

Sri Lanka's Kupun Kushantha, who won the bronze medal in the men's 800m final at the 16th Asian Junior Athletics Championship at Taipei Municipal Stadium, Chinese Taipei yesterday, was disqualified later.

Kushantha was garlended for winning the bronze medal on the podium of the 800m final award ceremony at the Taipei Municipal Stadium just after the final but it was announced later that the 19-year-old middle distance runner had breached the athletic rule 163.3a which resulted in Kushantha's disqualification.

The Rule 163.3 a states: “In all races run in lanes, each athlete shall keep within his allocated lane from start to finish. This shall also apply to any portion of a race run in lanes.” (In 800m race, first 100m distance from start, is the particular portion)

Himasha Eshan, the 100m silver medalist with a personal best timing of 10.49 in theon Friday, qualified for the 200m final yesterday. Eshan finished the heats with with 21.25 seconds.

Three medal prospects for Sri Lanka on Sunday will be sprinter Himasha Eshan, who will be participating in the 200m final with Atheetha Karunasinghe taking part in the men's triple jump final before the men's 4x400m finals. Sri Lankan 4x400m quartet recorded best timing (3:12.31) in the final list.

Sri Lanka are placed 14th in the medal tally with one silver and one bronze won by Himashan Eshan and triple jumper Vidusha Lakshani. China lead with 20 medals (10 gold, 8 silver, 2 bronze) while Japan are placed second with 15 medals, Qatar secured third place with seven medals.

Today Sri Lanka participating events

Men's triple jump final at 12.30pm (Sri Lanka time)
Men's 200m final at 1.05pm (Sri Lanka time)
Men's 4x400m final at 3.10pm (Sri Lanka time) (SJ)