SL 4 X 400m relay team qualify for World Championships 2023 in Hungary

The Sri Lankan 4X400 men's team has qualified for the men's 400m relay event of the World Championship athletics tournament scheduled to be held from the 19th to the 27th of this month in Hungary.

This was based on their performance in the recently concluded Asian Games.

Kalinga Kumarage who set up new 400m record at National Athletic Championship is the key member of the 400m relay team while Aruna Dharshana, Rajitha Rajakaruna and Pabasara Niku are the other members of the team.

16 teams will be eligible to compete in the men's 400m relay event at the World Athletics Championship, and the Sri Lankan team qualified as the 12th fastest team in the world.

The 8 teams who were finalist at the World Championship in 2022 directly qualified for the World Championship 2023 while the other 8 teams were selected based on the performance in the events during qualification period which ended on 30th July.

Athletes were given time till the 27th of last month to compete at the qualification level events and the other Sri Lankan athlete who made the cut is the sprint champion Yupun Abeykon. He has qualified for the men's 100m event.

However Yupun, who is recovering from an injury, has issued a statement stating that he has decided to withdraw from this year's world championship athletics tournament. He further states that this is with the intention of giving his best at the Asian Games which is to be held in September after the World Championship.

Meanwhile, Nadeesha Lekamge is ranked 37th in the women's javelin throw where only 36 women qualify for the event. However, with America's Kara Winger who is among the 36 retiring recently, Dilhani coudl get an opportunity to represent Sri Lanka.

Gayanthika Abeyratne is ranked 58th in the women's 1500m event where 56 qualify for the event.

Aruna Dharshana is in 53rd place in the 400 meter event where 48 athletes qualify.

Accordingly, if athletes who have alredy qualified withdraw from the tournament due to injury or personal reasons, there is a possibility of these Sri Lankan athletes to qualify to represent the country at the World Championship.