Record breaking Sarangi could create history at Asian Games
Pasindu Malshan's performance guarantees him a slot at the World Junior Meet
Sri Lanka has never won a long jump medal at the Asian Games but if Sarangi Silva can replicate her yesterday’s performance of 6.65m,
Sri Lanka could create history at this year’s Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
At the 2018 Asian Games held in Jakarta, Bui Thi Thu Thao of Vietnam clinched the gold medal with a leap of 6.55m, 10cm less than what Sarangi cleared to renew her own national record, lighting up the final days play of the three-day selection trial for the Asian Games and Asian Junior Championships concluded at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
The 26-year-old from
Sri Lanka Army has shown a steady progress over the years improving on her personal best performance whenever she takes the field. Last year she cleared a national record distance of 6.48m. She cleared 6.53m in her first attempt yesterday, before improving on it further in the third attempt.
Speaking after her record breaking feat, Sarangi says that 15 years of hard work is finally paying her off well.
“My target is to win medals at Commonwealth and Asian Games this year,” she said confidently.
Though Commonwealth seems a stiffer challenge, she is within a medal winning performance at the Asian Games.
“I will definitely do that,” she asserted. “ I have been clearing over 6.60m during practices since 2019, but I could not accomplish that in a meet. But I did that today and I am really happy”.
Dhanuka Darshana is the other athlete to qualify for the World Juniors
She said her target this year is to reach the 6.80m mark.
Sarangi was challenged by Anjani Pulwansa for the title intensely but the latter had to contend with a distance of 6.18m. This however was a personal best performance for the 30-year-old Anjani. Ridma Nishadi also cleared the 6m mark, clearing a distance of 6.02.
Meanwhile Pasindu Malshan (Triple Jump) and Dhanuka Darshana (400m hurdles) reached World Junior qualifications. Malshan, a product of St. Joseph’s College cleared 15.68m in the boys triple jump surpassing the qualifying distance of 15.55m. Darshana clocked 52.21secs nearly a second less than the qualifying standard set at 53.20secs.
On Friday, long jumper Hirusha Hashen Mendis and hurdler Kaveesha Bandara qualified for the World Junior Championship following their impressive performances in the junior category. Hirusha cleared junior national record of 7.67m in the Boys long jump while Kaveesha clocked 14.02secs in the Boys 110m hurdles to book their tickets to the World Junior Championship.
Sarangi Silva broke the record twice in the same day at Trials