Sugandi placed third, relay team advance to final

Sri Lanka’s relay team from left Medani Jayamanne, Amasha de Silva,Shafiya Yamic and Shelinda Jansen.

Sri Lanka’s track and field team commenced their campaign at the 60th Interstate Championship in Patiala yesterday with hurdler Lakshika Sugandi securing a third place and the women’s 4×100 metres relay team finishing second behind hosts to advancing to the final.

South Asian Games gold medal winner Sugandi clocked 13.90 seconds to finish third behind Tamil Nadu’s C. Kanimozhi (13.66 secs) and Telangana’s N. A. Agasara (13.70 secs) in the 100 metres hurdles.

In the women’s 4×100 metres relay heats Sri Lanka competed against hosts in the second heat and were placed second in a time of 45.30 seconds. India finished in a time of 43.50 seconds. Sri Lanka’s team consisted of Medani Jayamanne, Shelinda Jansen, Shafiya Yamic and Amasha de Silva.

Although Sugandi was selected only as the additional member of the relay team, officials had made arrangements for the hurdler to take part in 100 metres hurdles event to make the most of the opportunity. Likewise Shelinda Jansen and Amasha de Silva will compete in the 100 metres while Medhani Jayamanne take part in the 200 metres.

A Sri Lanka Athletic official said that Kalinga Kumarage will take part in the 200 metres apart from the 400 metres for which he was selected.