18-year-old Sri Lankan qualifies for Tokyo Olympics

Friday, 7 May 2021 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

NewsWire: Artistic Gymnast Milka Gehani de Silva has qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, becoming the second Sri Lankan to do so.

Showjumping rider Mathilda Karlsson became the first to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games from Sri Lanka. She is also the first equestrian representing Sri Lanka in an Olympic Event.

18-year-old Milka will compete at the Tokyo Olympics after qualifying through the continental quota.

Milka’s qualification comes following the cancellation of the ninth Senior Asian Championships, which was to be held from 29 May – 1 June in Hangzhou – China, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

She was the first reserve ahead of Indian Gymnast Pranati Nayak for the Asian quota and became eligible to compete from the zone following the cancellation of the Championships.

Milka has represented Sri Lanka at several international competitions, including the Junior Asian Championships (2017 and 2018), Youth Olympic Games (2018) and the 49th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships (2019).

She was National Champion in 2017 and 2018, and finished within the top eight at the Asian Championship in Indonesia in 2018, becoming the first Sri Lankan to achieve the feat.

Milka also represented Sri Lanka at the Youth Olympic Games 2018, setting an area record.