The top two Sri Lankan women’s 800m athletes, Nimali Liyanarachchi and Gayanthika Abeyrathne competed in the first round of the Women’s 800m today (27th August) at the Morning Session of the Asian Games Athletic competitions.
The top two athletes of the three first round of heats were guaranteed a spot in the final while the two fastest losers from the two heats also received a chance to compete in the final.
Nimali Liyanarachchi competed in the first heat of the first round. Yota Marta of Bahrain took the win in the heat with Ayano Shiomi of Japan finishing second to earn the second qualification spot in the heat. Defending champion Margarita Mukasheva of Kazakhstan was placed 3rd and had anxious wait until all the heats were over to confirm her place in the final. Nimali Liyanarachchi who had her Asian Games prep hindered due to the long-term injury she suffers, could not find her rhythm as she finished 4th clocking 2:06.74.
Gayanthika Abeyrathne featured in the third heat of the first round and looked good alongside Bahrain’s Manal Elbahraoui and Japanese Yume Kitamura in the first lap. Gayanthika crossed the line as the race leader after the first lap but failed to keep up with the pace showcased by Elbahraoui and Kitamura in the home straight, falling to third place. Gayanthika however did not give up as she was seen pumping her arms and emptying her tank to reach the finish line clocking 2:06.31.
Magarita Mukasheva qualified for the final as fastest loser while it was a pick between the two Sri Lankan runners as to who would make it to the final of the event. Gayanthika secured the final spot in the final knocking Nimali out as her timing in the heat was 0.43secs better.
The Women’s 800m final will be worked out tomorrow (28th August) at 06.00pm Sri Lankan time. Visit the Asian Games 2018 hub – https://www.thepapare.com/asiangames on Sri Lanka’s #1 Sports hub as we are dedicated to bringing you action as it happens from the 18th Asian Games.
