The weather was bright and sunny throughout the 4th day of the 17th Asian Games 2014 in Incheon, South Korea.
Lifter Chinthana Vidanage the Overall Captain of the Sri Lanka Athlete Contingent comprising 20 females and 60 males involved in 09 sports had a poor participation. The aging former top medal winner was drawn in pool B in Men’s Weightlifting .He failed at all three attempts in the Clean & Jerkat 160kgs after being successful at 126kgs in his first lift. Earlier in the Snatch he recorded 126kgs in two lifts.
So far 7 World Records have been established at the Games, 6 of them in Weightlifting. North Korea have accounted for 4.
In Men’s Beach Volleyball Sri Lanka experienced mix fortunes. In mid-afternoon the No.1 Pair of Pubudu Ekanayake and Asanka Kumara were fully stretched by their opponents from Afghanistan. Sri Lanka won 2 sets to 1. In the 1st set scores were level 6-all, 12-all & 19-all before Sri Lanka went down fighting 19-21.In the 2nd set Sri Lanka pulled away after being 6-all to end up at 21-17.In the 3rd set Sri Lanka stayed ahead after being 5-all to wrap up the set 15-10 finishing off showing aggression. This was in Pool C. The 2nd team comprising Jude Mahesh Perera and Wasantha Rathnapala had to contest Qatar who fielded two Brazilians. Sri Lanka lost the Pool B match 2 sets to Nil. The 1st set was evenly contested. At one stage scores were level 16 all but Sri Lanka were beaten 19-21.Qatar won the 2nd set 21-15.Tommorrow is a rest day for the Spikers 31 countries are participating in 5 groups in Men’s Beach Volleyball.
In Women’s Cricket being introduced to the Asian Games Sri Lanka will be taking the field for the first time, led by Chamari Atapattu .Jeewantha Kulathunga as Coach and Manager Roshan Iddamalgoda are accompanying the 15 member team. The lasses from Hong Kong will be the opponents in the Quarter Final.
The 3rd match in Men’s Hockey tomorrow is with China. Sri Lanka were thrashed by Pakistan and India earlier.10 teams are participating in two groups at the Games.
Secretary General, National Olympic Committee Maxwell de Silva as well as Rear Admiral Shemal Fernando,Chef de Mission were present at Competition Venues to encourage the Team Sri Lanka members in action.
Myanmar beat South Korea in Men’s Sepak Takrowr in an unexpected result. China South Korea, & Japan are on top of the latest medals table.
Haritha Perera @ the Main Media Center in Incheon,South Korea
