By Dhammika Ratnaweera reporting from Jakartha, Indonesia.
Sri Lankan swimming sensation Matthew Abeysinghe created history at the Asian Games when he became the first finalist in the 100m free style as he finished 6thwith 49.28 seconds. Abeysinghe had a good start to the race but two Japanese swimmers and Shinri Shioura and Katsumi Nakamura together with Chinese swimmer Hexin Yu used their experience to overtake him.
“I think I had a good start but thereafter I had to use my strengths to compete with Chinese and Japanese swimmers to maintain a good race. I knew this was a very difficult target but I am happy with my effort.” said Mathew who explained that his target was to prepare for 2020 Olympics final.
Meanwhile Sri Lankan mens Vollyball team came up with good performance to beat Vietnam in three straight sets 25/23, 25/18, 25/18 to move further at the Asian Games.
In Taikwondo, Sri Lanka’s Kumudu Wijeratna beat Pakistani player 2-0 in the women’s event. However in the next game she lost to a fancied Japanese player 32-8 .
in Badminton Sri Lankan mens double pair Sachin Dias and Buwaneka Gunathileka defeated Macavo pair in their opening game while Kavidi Sirimannage made an easy game over Saudi Arabian player with straight sets to go forward in the women’s open singles category. Thilini Hendahewa and Kavidi played their women’s double match and lost to Malaysian pair, Meanwhile Thilini lost to Indonesian player 21/6/, 21/4 in her singles game.
At the Jakartha squash courts Mihilia Metsarani lost over more fancied Malaysian player with three straight sets while Shamil Wakeel lost to Indian player once again straight three sets. Sri Lankan number one player Ravidu Laksiri lost his first game over Malaysia player 0-3 in the mens singles squash . Sri Lankan medal hope athlete Hiruni Wijayaratna who came from USA did her first traning session under the guidance of Badra Gunwawardan hope to do her 10, 000 m event which will going to be the 25 th night at the Jakartha main stadium.
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