The beginning to the 06th day of the 17th Asian Games 2014 was wet cold. The first Sri Lankan Athlete to compete was Chameera Lakshan Gunawardene in Mistral Men’s Windsurfing. He was placed 7th in the first race, 5th in the 2nd race and 7th in the 3rd race. Altogether 7 boats were involved in competition.
In Men’s Beach Volleyball, the No.2 team came out first against Bangladesh. Jude Mahesh Perera partnered by Wasantha Rathnapala had few worries as they coasted to a comfortable win with the score sheet reading 21-14 & 21-09. The 2 sets to 0 victory confirmed the confidence of the pair thus far playing in windy & chilly conditions. Later, the No.1 duo Pubudu Ekanayake and Asanka Kumara took to the court in much improved weather conditions. Their opponents China won a closely contested 1st set at 17-21.Some loose play despite occassional brilliant fightbacks were a feature.The 2nd set was a case of seeing is believing. Sri Lanka trailed 10-11 then tied at 16-all.The next 12 points were equal as China tied after being led .After being 28-all,Sri Lanka were beaten 28-30 and the pair were eliminated from competition. Coach, Prasanna Kumara described the much extended set as the longest that he has seen in Asian Games. Sri Lanka lost in straight sets and both teams were drained out as they left the court.
Tomorrow, Sri lanka will meet Oman in the 4th and last game in Pool B as the Men’s Hockey team is searching for the elusive first goal at the Games. In the 2nd Semi Final of Women’s Cricket, Sri Lanka is up against Bangladesh. Chameera Lakshan Gunawardene will be involved in the 2nd half of his competition in Mistral Men’s Windsurfing.
08 World Records in Weightlifting and Shooting as well as 13 Asian Records in Weightlifting, Shooting, Archery and Swimming have been established at the Games up to now.
Haritha Perera @ the Main Media Center in Incheon, South Korea
