Colombo, Sri LankaSoldier A. N. Ajith Bandara gave the hosts Sri Lanka its last athletic gold medal of the 10th South Asian Games when he won men's marathon worked off in Colombo on Sunday (27).
Bandara did not face much competition to emerge easy winner at the end, though his timing of 2:25:40 was nowhere near the Games record of 2:15.03 held by Baikunta Manander since 1987.
Nevertheless, it was a creditable performance by the Lankan lad who ran bravely under energy sapping conditions to give Sri Lanka its 14th gold medal in athletic competition. However, Sri Lanka fell just one gold medal short of their all-time Games record haul of 15 athletic golds, established when Sri Lanka hosted the Games way back in 1991.
"I knew there was a good chance. I concentrated on my target and took the race stage by stage. I am glad that I was able to do my duty by the nation," The Lankan gold medallist said.
Bandara, attached to Sri Lanka Army, said he was fully backed by his officers and fellow soldiers. He also paid a tribute to his coach Maj. D. Dissanayake.
Bandara combined his skills and stamina to plan his race strategically. He kept his cool and reserved his energy for the all-important final stages. He proved his determination and endurance to finish the race with a considerable lead.
His closest rival, Arjun Kumar Basnet finished 150 seconds after the Lankan lad to register a timing of 2:28:10 and settled for the silver. Indian L. Binning's timing of 2:29:16 was good enough to claim the marathon bronze medal.
But Bandara's team mate, W. Sujeewa Chandrapala was off colour and was forced to withdraw after 30km due to a hamstring injury. Nepalese Arjun Dhakal who returned a timing of 2:39.50, finished fourth.
The track and field competition of the eight-nation Games was a closely contested affair. India ended on top of the final athletic medal standings with 15 gold medals and 14 silver and bronze medals each. Sri Lanka were second with 14 gold, 13 silver and seven bronze.
It was the Indian women who greatly contributed to their team's success. The Indian lasses accounted for nine out of their total of 15 golds. In contrast, Sri Lanka won eight golds in men's events while the contribution from their women towards the gold haul was only six. Besides the 29 gold medals shared by India and Sri Lanka in track and field competition, Pakistan (3), Nepal (2) and Bangladesh (1) won the remaining gold medals that were on offer.
Dinesh Weerawansa for the IAAF
Final result
Men
Marathon:
1. Ajith Bandara (Sri Lanka) 2:25:40
2. Arjun Kumar Basnet (Nepal) 2:28:10
3. L. Binning (India) 2:29:16
