Nadeesha wins Asian 400m gold for SL after 23 years

Nadeesha Ramanayaka

Nedeesha Ramanayake excelled to win a gold medal in the women’s 400m event at the Asian Athletic Championship in Bangkok yesterday. Ramanayake had a timing of 52.61 seconds to finish first while this was her personal best and it is the all time third best performance by a Sri Lankan woman in the 400m event.

Nadeesha the 28 year old athlete finished with a clear lead to take gold yesterday. Infect last time a Sri Lanka woman won a gold in 400m is way back in 2000 by Dhamayanthi Dharsha who holds the current Asian Championship record and after 23 years Nadeesha Ramanayake won the gold for Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile Aruna Dharshana and Rajith Rajakaruna were placed seventh and eighth at 400m final yesterday. The much expected Aruna Dharshana failed to live up to expectation with a disappointing performance, said senior official of Sri Lanka Athletics. However they hope more success at 400m mixed really and 4x400m men’s relay at this meet.