Athletics: Biathle gold for Nuwan Kumara in Goa

Sri Lankan Athlete – J. Nuwan Kumara won a gold medal in Biathle (Running and Swimming) event at the Modern Pentathlon World Tour Tournament recently held in Goa, India. 

Amazingly, both Silver and Bronze medals too were won by Sri Lankan athletes. M.N. G. Senaratne won the Silver medal while Ruwansiri Silva won Bronze medal. 

Nine athletes from Nepal, India and Sri Lanka at the Biathle event (men’s senior) United Modern Modern Pentathlon Federation (UIPM) organized by the Modern Pantheon Federation of India (MPFI) got qualified for participate the finals of UIPM World Tour GOA India. 

Under the Biathle sport, one has to run 1600 metres, join the 200-metre swimming event and then complete another 1600 metres of running. 

Nuwan Kumara completed the running within 13 minutes and 14.56 seconds, becoming the Gold medalist. 

The victory was not novel to Nuwan Kumara as he won the Bronze medal at the Trithale Tournament (Men) held February this year at the South Asian Games in Nepal. 

“After winning the above event our athletes are ranked by UIPM, and ready to compete upcoming World championships,” said Nishanthe Piyasena, the secretary General of MPFSL. 

Ruchira Bandara - participated in this tour as the Coach. 

The Sri Lanka Navy employs the Gold Medalist –Nuwan Kumaran- and other two athletes are employed by Sri Lanka Air Force. 

Modern Pentathlon Federation of Sri Lanka (MPFSL) was established in 2013 and is striving hard to create opportunity for young, energetic individuals in Sri Lanka to be a part of the sport. 

They organize trials of stamina, which successfully select those that have the capability to compete in the international arena. MPFSL has been progressing well and Modern Pentathlon sport is developing at a high pace in the country and the structure is strengthened with eight active clubs. 

MPFSL has already completed many programmes in Sri Lanka to promote Modern Pentathlon Sport, especially in the Colombo District. 

All these events were organized and conducted by MPFSL with the help of affiliated clubs. 

Modern Pentathlon has been legalized as the 52nd sport in the country by the Ministry Sports. 

It includes Swimming, Running, Laser Shooting, Fencing and Horse Riding.