Nine Sri Lanka athletes are expected to take part in the Asian Grand Prix which will be held in two legs on June 4 and 7 in Chongqing, China.
Sri Lankan athletes who returned with a solitary medal from the recently concluded Asian Athletic Championships in Doha, Qatar once again will compete against the top level athletes from the Asian region in these two stages.
However, the question asked is will this will be a good opportunity for them to come back with better performances. Seven athletes who went for the Asian Championships were approved by the Sports Ministry while national shot putt record holder Tahrika Kumudumali and South Asian gold medal high jumper Dulanjali Ranasinghe will take part in this Grand Prix.
The two 800m athletes Nimali Liyanarachchi and Gayanthika Abeyratne who failed to win medals at the Asian Championships will once again compete at this meet.
Olympian Sumedha Ranasinghe who could not perform well in Qatar is expected to perform well at these two Grand Prix legs.
Rusiru Chathuranga men’s 800m runner and triple jumper Greshan Dhananjaya who failed in Qatar will get another opportunity to come up with good performances in China.
A senior official of the Athletic Association said the best way to improve on performances is through international exposure and this is a good opportunity for them before the South Asian Games.
The most disappointing factor is that Sri Lankan athletes perform well in home conditions and aim to finish with their personal best efforts or if not unable to evolve with their personal best even at international meets.
The senior official pointed out that athletes like Damayanthi Dharsha, Susanthika Jayasinghe, Sriyani Kulawansa and Sugath Tillekaratne performed well at international level.
“Unlike those days our athletes are not dedicated enough and look for short cuts to success,” he said.
Sri Lankan team for Asian Grand Prix 2019 – Ajith Premakumara (Men’s 400m), Rusiru Chathuranga (Men’s 800M), Sumedha Ranasinghe (Men’s Javelin throw), Greshan Dhananjaya (Men’s Triple Jump), Nadeesha Ramanayake (Women’s 400m), Nimali Liyanarachchi (Women’s 800m), Gayanthika Abeyratne (Women’s 800m), Dulanjali Ranasinghe (Women’s High Jump), Tharika Kumudumali (Women’s Shot Putt)