Sri Lanka Athletics will present its largest ever contingent at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing. With both men’s and women’s 4×400 relay teams participating, the teams were finalized through recent selection trials. Notably, Aruna Dharshana will miss the competition, impacting performance expectations. The championships will see 576 athletes from various countries, emphasizing the event’s global scale.
Sri Lanka Athletics is preparing to field its largest team in history for the World Indoor Athletics Championships, which will be held in Nanjing, China, beginning this Friday. The inclusion of both men’s and women’s 4×400 meters relay teams comes after World Athletics extended an invitation, filling a gap left by some absent sprint powerhouses.
Leading the men’s relay team is sprinter Kalinga Kumarage, who will guide a young team that emerged from the performances at the recent selection trials. The men’s quartet will consist of Kumarage, S.B.R. Madushan, Sadew Rajakaruna, and Omel Shashintha, with Isuru Lakshan as their reserve.
The absence of leading sprinter Aruna Dharshana, who is currently training in Australia, poses a challenge for the team’s expectations. His participation was deemed crucial for potential top performances, especially in securing qualification for the World Relays and World Championships.
On the women’s side, Asian medallist Nadeesha Ramanayake will collaborate with upcoming athletes Nishendra Harshani, Sayuri Lakshima, and Jayeshi Uththara to form a competitive team. They will be competing against countries with strong legacies, including China, India, USA, Australia, and Poland.
In addition to the relay teams, Sri Lanka will be represented by individual athletes; hurdler Kaveesha Bandara and sprinter Chamod Yodasinghe have qualified based on their rankings from World Athletics. The championships will feature a total of 576 athletes from 127 countries, underscoring the global competition’s intensity.
Sri Lanka Athletics is making strides by entering its largest team yet in the upcoming World Indoor Championships. The inclusion of both relay teams offers a significant opportunity for the athletes, particularly the juniors looking to shine on a global stage. Despite the absence of key athletes, the teams are prepared to compete vigorously against formidable international competitors, showcasing the potential of Sri Lankan athletics.
Original Source: island.lk
