Aruna vs. Kalinga – 400m Showdown in Focus

All eyes are on yet another blockbuster 400m showdown between top quarter-milers Aruna Darshana and Kalinga Kumarage as the National Athletics Championship 2024 continues for day two at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium in Diyagama .

Darshana, currently ranked 53rd in the Road to Paris Olympic list, and Kumarage, ranked 54th, are both aiming to increase their ranking points to break into the top 48. The top 48 is the cutoff mark for selection in the forthcoming Paris Olympic Games. Achieving the direct qualifying standard of 45.00 seconds will be a challenging task for the duo, given their personal bests of 45.30 seconds (Darshana) and 45.07 seconds (Kumarage). Nevertheless, they will give their best effort to reach that mark.

In the heats, both Darshana and Kumarage won their respective races comfortably. Darshana clocked 45.97 seconds in the first heat, followed by Kumarage with 46.33 seconds while easing down in the second heat. The finals are scheduled for 8:55 am .

Meanwhile, Italy-based sprinter Yupun Abeykoon is making his return to the local track after five years having last competed here in 2019. Abeykoon, a Tokyo Olympian and South Asian record holder, boasts a personal best of 9.96 seconds in the 100m.

His participation marks the first time a sub-10-second 100m runner competes on Sri Lankan soil.  Unfortunately, Abeykoon battled injuries this season and couldn’t secure his Olympic qualification for Paris 2024 yet. To achieve qualification, he must either clock under 10.00 seconds in the 100m or significantly improve his ranking position, which currently stands at 78.

Only 56 athletes will be selected for the Paris Games.