High jumper Wijesekara wins Sri Lanka first gold at Asian championships
High jumper Wijesekara wins Sri Lanka first gold at Asian championships
12:57, November 14, 2009 
Email | Print | Subscribe | Comments | Forum 
Manjula Kumara Wijesekara brought home Sri Lanka's first gold in men's high jump event Friday at Asian championships.
Wijesekara chose the opening height of 2.10m and then cleared the following three heights on his first attempt. But he failed on the height of 2.26m, leaving the height of 2.23m to be his winning jump.
China's Huang Haiqiang grabbed the silver while Kazakhstan's Vitaliy Tsykunov took third place with the mark of 2.20m.
"I am not satisfied with the result of 2.23m, although I am happy with the win. It is awesome," said Wijesekara, whose personal best is 2.27m and seasonal best 2.25m.
"The competition is fierce in this event in Asia, with athletes at almost the same level," said Wijesekara, "Especially athletes from China, Japan and Kazakhstan, they are very strong in the event."
The 25-year-old is a student from University of Southern California. Next year he would compete in matches among American universities representing his school.
"But maybe I will also participate in Asian Games, and I hope Ican win."
Pre-event favorites Malaysia's Lee Hup Wei, the defending champion, and Japan's Daigo Naoyuki, bronze medalist of 2006 Asian Games, ranked only fifth and sixth respectively.
Source: Xinhua
Wijesekara chose the opening height of 2.10m and then cleared the following three heights on his first attempt. But he failed on the height of 2.26m, leaving the height of 2.23m to be his winning jump.
China's Huang Haiqiang grabbed the silver while Kazakhstan's Vitaliy Tsykunov took third place with the mark of 2.20m.
"I am not satisfied with the result of 2.23m, although I am happy with the win. It is awesome," said Wijesekara, whose personal best is 2.27m and seasonal best 2.25m.
"The competition is fierce in this event in Asia, with athletes at almost the same level," said Wijesekara, "Especially athletes from China, Japan and Kazakhstan, they are very strong in the event."
The 25-year-old is a student from University of Southern California. Next year he would compete in matches among American universities representing his school.
"But maybe I will also participate in Asian Games, and I hope Ican win."
Pre-event favorites Malaysia's Lee Hup Wei, the defending champion, and Japan's Daigo Naoyuki, bronze medalist of 2006 Asian Games, ranked only fifth and sixth respectively.
Source: Xinhua
Special Coverage
President Hu visits Malaysia, Singapore, attends APEC summit
Major headlines
Editor's Pick
Most Popular
Hot Forum Dicussion
