Nimali Best Athlete at Nationals

Yasaratne GAMAGE

Airwoman W K L A Nimali was adjudged as the Most outstanding Women Athlete at the 29th women’s athletic championships concluded at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Sports Complex in Diyagama yesterday.

Nimali was awarded the Nirmala Dissanayakke Challenge Trophy presented by the Committee of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka - 2007. She set up a new Sri Lanka record in the women’s steeple chase 3000 metres with a timing of 10 minutes 31.26 seconds.

G J A Galhena of Sri Lanka Army also established a Sri Lankan record when she cleared a distance of 38.15 meters in the women’s hammer throw.

Meanwhile Amanthi Silva of St. Bridget’s Convent Colombo shattered a 30 year long record in the girls under 18 discus throw by throwing a distance of 36.56 metres.

Loyola College , Kochchikade had their merits when Poornima Kalpani joined the record spree in girl’s under 14 long jump with a distance of 4.82 metres.

L D Noyomika Gimhani of Sumana Balika Vidyalaya Ratnapura erased the previous record by finishing the girls under 20, 400 metres hurdles in 1:03.89 seconds.

R G N P S Rambukwella of Christ Church National School Matale excelled in the girls 100 metres by touching the finishing line in 12.70 seconds to set up a new meet record.

In the girls under 20 pole vault B K Isurika Kalyani of Gonsalvez College, Pamunugama equalized the previous record with a performance of 2.90 metres.

The Challenge Trophies:

1. K. G. Badra Challenge Trophy Presented by the Committee of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka 2007 to the most outstanding Athletic in the Under 12 Category: Natalie Malpana Gateway College, Rajagiriya 100 M 14.11 Secs

2. Thilaka Jinadasa Challenge Trophy Presented by the Committee of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka 2007 to the Most outstanding Athlete in the Under 14 category: Uttara Wijesuriya Holy Family Convent Kalutara 100 M, 13.31 Secs

3. K. V. Damayanthi Darsha Challenge Trophy Presented by the

Committee of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka 2007 to the Most outstanding Athlete in the Under 16 Category: R G N P S Rambukwella Mt/Christ Church College (National School), Matale, 200 M, 26.11 Secs

4. Sriyani Kulawansa Challenge Trophy Presented by the Committee of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka 2007 to the Most outstanding Athlete in the Under 18 Category: R M S Kumari Rathnayake St. Joseph’s Balika M.V, Kegalle, 400 M,57.68 Secs

5. Susanthika Jayasinghe Challenge Trophy Presented by the Committee of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka 2007 to the Most outstanding Athlete in the Under 20 Category: S R Pabasara Senanayake St. Joseph’s Balika M.V, Kegalle, 100 M, 12.44 Secs

6. Nirmala Dissanayake Challenge Trophy Presented by the Committee of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka 2007 to the Most outstanding Women Athlete in the Women’s Category: W K L A Nimali Sri Lanka Air Force, 3000 Steeple Chase, 10:31.26 Secs (New Sri Lanka Record)