Skipper Gayanthika joins Lanka Athletic team in China today

Gayanthika Abeyratne the Sri Lankan middle distance medal hope and women’s captain of the Asian Games left for China yesterday (21) to take part in the Asian Games which will commence on September 23.

Gayanthika from Sri Lanka Navy coached by Sajith Jayalal is expected to run both 1500m and 800m events and her key event, 800m is more competitive this time.

The 20 year old Tharushi Karunaratne who will leave on the 26th for the games will also compete in the 800m event and these two athletes are currently number 1 and 2 in the Asian ranking and heading for Asian medals.

The coach Sajith Jayalal said Gayanthika had good preparation but the Asian Games is going to be a tough battle. Gayanthika Abeyratne had high altitude training at Boralanda under the guidance of coach Sajith Jayalal while she had withdrawn her name from the recently concluded World Athletic Championship in Hangaria to focus on the Asian Games.

Gayanthika the 36-year-old experienced athlete is very keen to take part in this Asian Games which is most probably her last Asian Games. She had a 1500m National record but her 800m record was erased by Tharushi Karunaratne.

Tharushi Karunaratne with her Coach Susantha Fernando will leave on the 26th while the National Coach Y.K Kularatne and long jumper Sarangi Silva will leave on the 27th. Sri Lanka men’s and women’s 4×400 relay teams are in China in preparation for the Asian Games. However, coach Sajith Jayalal couldn’t get a chance to take part in this Asian Games.

Meanwhile, Ushan Thivanka the high jumper based in Texas, USA has withdrawn his name at the last moment along with Yupun Abeykoon who already announced his withdrawal from the Asian Games.

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