87th National Athletic Championships:

Two records lowered at Athletic C’ships

Chinthana WASALA

Soldiers Chaminda Wijekoon and Rohitha Pushpakumara were adjudged as the best men athletes while Chandrika Subhashini of Sri Lanka Air Force was named as the best women athlete at the 87th National Athletic Championships which came to a conclusion at the Sugathadasa Stadium last evening.

This year’s meet only saw two new Sri Lanka records produced and one meet record equalled.

Rohitha Pushpakumara crossed the finish line ahead of Prasanna Amarasekera who stepped onto the track after a long interval, clocking 47.01 seconds in the men’s 400m event. Pushpakumara had a terrific run but still failed to reach the barrier of 46.92 seconds which is set as the minimum standard to qualify for the forthcoming 18th Asian Championships in China.

In the women’s 400m, Chandrika Subhashini clocked 53.96 seconds to secure the first place but she also failed to make her way to China by 15th of a second.

M.N.D. Muthunayake of Sri Lanka Navy equalled her own meet record in the women’s shot put event when she threw 14.24m.

Even then she was nowhere near the minimum mark of qualification for the China meet.

In the men’s high jump final, A.D.N.P. Ratnasiri of Sri Lanka Army cleared 2.11 to be placed first ahead of Udara Silva of Lanka Lions Sports Club who too cleared the same height.

In the men’s javelin throw, three athletes threw the same distance of 67.39m. R.P.W. Lakshan of Sri Lanka Navy was placed first ahead of soldier D.S. Ranasinghe who was placed second and Sachith Maduranga of Colombo DAA who came third.

S.M. Weerasuriya of Sri Lanka Navy finished first in the men’s 100m clocking 10.83 seconds.

In the women’s 100m final, Premila Priyadarshani of Sri Lanka Air Force became the fastest women in the meet when she finished first with a time of 12.11 seconds.

Sri Lanka Teclecom had come forward to sponsor this year’s meet too and the Chairperson Sri Lanka Telecom Leisha De Silva Chandrasena was the chief guest at the closing ceremony.

Challenge trophies

Horlicks Challenge Trophy: Sprint event (men) - I. M. R. Pushpa Kumara (Sri Lanka Army) - 400 m (47.01 sec).

Chandi Kannangara Memorial Trophy: Sprints (women) - R. M. C. Rasnayaka (Sri Lanka Air Force) - 400 m (53.96 sec).

N. M. Vasagam Challenge Trophy: Jumping events (men) - M. G. C. N. Gamage (Sri Lanka Army) - triple jump (15.38 m).

Grayline Group Challenge Trophy: Jumps (women) - N. C. D. Priyadarshani (Sri Lanka Navy) - Long Jump (6.23 m).

C. C. Dissanayake Challenge Trophy: Throwing (men) - R. P. W. Lakshan (Sri Lanka Nay) (67.39 m).

HNB Challenge Trophy: Throws (women) - M. N. D. Muthunayaka (Sri Lanka Navy) - shot put (14.24 - equalled meet record).

Duncan White Challenge Trophy: Hurdles (men) - Y. P. Y. Ajith (Sri Lanka Army) - 400 m hurdles (52.87 sec).

Glucoline Challenge Trophy: Hurdles (women) - U. G. D. Sandamali (Sri Lanka Air Force) - 400 m hurdles (1:01.67 min).

Governor Generals Cup: Middle and Long Distance events (men) - W. M. C. I. Wijekoon (Sri Lanka Army) - 1500 m (3:43.80 min - NSLR*).

Huxley’s Wintergino Challenge Trophy: Middle and Long Distance (women) - N. M. C. Dilrukshi (Sri Lanka Army) - 800 m (2:09.96 sec).

Nagalingam Ethirweerasingam Trophy: Best High Jumper - A. D. N. P. Rathnasiri (Sri Lanka Army) (2.11 m).

The Colombo Canteen Committee Challenge Trophy: Best women’s athlete - R. M. C. Rasnayaka (Sri Lanka Air Force) - 400 m (53.96 sec).

Wilson Bartleet Challenge Trophy: Best men’s athlete - W. M. C. I. Wijekoon (Sri Lanka Army) - 1,500 m (3:43.80 sec). I. M. R. Pushpakumara (Sri Lanka Army) - 400 m (47.01 sec).