Nadeeka sets up a new record
34th National Sports Festival:
Bernard Perera in Beliatta
B.L. Nadeeka Lakmalee from Southern Province set the third record for
the day when she threw the Javelin to a distance of 53.34 m here at the
D.A. Rajapaksa Stadium, in Beliatta. Lakmalee who has already qualified
to represent the country at the forthcoming Beijing Olympics 2008 was
the star yesterday.
Lakmalee erased the record 51.97m set by Anne Maheshi Silva in the
year 2007. Yesterday’s throw by Lakmalee has improved by nearly 2
meters. Tthe ground conditions underfoot was not that suitable for
athletes. This was due to the heavy downpour that came down during
midday. The rains continued for almost one hour but the programme was
delayed as there were no events during that time period.
The long jump event for men too was conducted under soggy conditions.
This really put pressure on the athletes for their jumps. In fact if the
conditions were in perfect condition there could have been a another
record for the day. Under these trying conditions to the athletes
preformed so well that three of the jumpers went past the 17m mark here.
In the 4x100m relay both men and women from Western Province grabbed
the golds proving that they are the best for relays upto date.
first to break record
N.C.D. Priyadhardhani of Western Province became the first record
breaker at the 34th National Sports Festival yesterday at D. A.
Rajapaksa Stadium. She cleared a distance of 6.30m in the Long-Jump
event for women to erase the excisting meet record of 6.12 held by
Anusha Eknaligoda which was established in 2000.
The second meet record came under the belt of B.L.P. Nandani
Wijesundara of Sabaragamuwa in the discus throw. She sent the discus to
a distance of 44.17m to take the honours for the event. The previous
best was also done by her in the year 1997 with a distance of 43.34m.
In the final of 10,000 meters which was held last morning K. G. R.
Saman Kumara who represented Uva Province finished first clocking
32:02.7 secs, while R. M. Indika Ajith (NWP) and P. G. Sujith Kumara
(CP) ended the race behind the winner to take silver and bronze medals.
The women’s 5000m was won by Southern Province’s W. K. L. A. Nimali.
Her time for the event was 17:57.03 secs. She was followed by D. A. S.
Samanmali (NWP) and D. A. Inoka (CP) for the runners-up positions.
W. P. C. G. Pathirana representing NCP was the winner in the High
Jump when he went over the bar at 2.07m. The silver and bronze medals
were won by Amith Kumara (NCP) and M. N. Silva (NWP). W. A. Thushara
Sampath of Southern Province won the gold medal for the shot putt, but
was far behind the existing record as he cleared only 13.99 m. The
record for the event stands at 16.53m under the name of T. F. Alailima.
Netball
Southern Province defeated Wayamba 41-40 points to book their place
in today’s final. This game was keenly contested. It was a dong ding
battle unto the final whistle.
The second semi-final saw the defending champions Western Province
come out as winners also in a thrilling game.
This too was played equally well by both teams and the game had to be
extended for extra time, as the scores were level at 49 points each at
the scheduled time.
After extra time the winners had 64 points while the losers could
manage only 62. Today Western Province will take on Southern Province of
9.00 am at Mahinda Rajapaksa stadium Tangalle.
Javelin throw women: 1. B.L. Nadeaka Lakmalee (SP) 53.34m (NMR), 2.
H.L.N. Dilhani Lekamage (SGP) 44.47m, 3. E.P. Nilmini (SP) 40.34m.
Long Jump Men: 1. Nayana Prasad Dharmaratne (WP) 7.46m, 2.
Chathuranga Ranthatiya (SP) 7.13m, 3. M.G.A. Sandaruwan (NCP) 7.13m.
400m hurdles (Men): 1. N.Y.P. Ajith (NWP) 53.5secs, 2. Lal
Samarasinghe (CP) 54.1secs, 3. H.S. Priyadharshani Silva (WP) 54.5.
Women: 1 P.M.S. de Soysa (CP) 1:03.2, 2. L.D. Nayomika Jayatilleke
(SGP) 1:05.2, 3. B.G. Lakshila Maduwanthi (SGP) 1:05.8.
200m women: 1. Premila Priyadharshani (WP) 25.0secs, 2. R.M.C.
Subashini (NWP) 25.1, 3. M.G. Lalana Shanthi (SP) 26.0.
Men: 1. S.M. Weerasooriya (WP) 22.0 secs, 2. R.M.M.S. Gayan Ratnayaka
(WP) 22.2secs., 3. Shalitha Ramanayake (WP) 22.3secs.
800m women: 1. N.M.C. Dilrukshi (NWP) 2:11.90, 2. M.B.N.G. Rajasekera
(CP) 2:13.38, 3. A.A.N. Sanjeevani (SP) 2:13.57.
Men: 1. D.D. Nuwan Nishanka (Uva) 1:54.41, 2. A.G.J.C. Edward (NCP)
1:54.87, 3. M.T. Warnapura (WP) 1:55.18.
4x100 relay women: 1. Western Province 48.64, 2. NWP 49.58, 3. SGP
50.15.
Men: 1. Western Province 42.1, 2. SP 43.0, 3. NWP 43.09.
|