Tharushi wins a double, Aruna cruises in 400 metres

Asian Games gold medallist Tharushi Karunaratne won both the 400 metres and 800 metres golds to make her return to winning ways while Aruna Dharshana eased to a 45.82 seconds finish to win the men’s 400 metres at the Taiwan Open Athletics Championship in Chinese Taipei.

Karunaratne clocked two minutes and 5.74 seconds to win a rain hit 800 metres on Sunday, a day after cruising to victory in the 400 metres with a 52.48 seconds finish.

It was the first major victory for the former Ratnayake Central, Walala athlete since winning at last year’s Asian Games. She could not live up to expectations at back to back competitions before pulling out from Asian Relays.

While Karunaratne triumphed in the 400 metres, Nadeesha Ramanayake finished fourth with a time of 53.93 seconds.

In the other events, Dilhani Lekamge was placed second with a distance of 52.79 metres in the women’s javelin and Gayanthika Abeyratne was placed second in the 1,500 metres with a time of 4:24.66.