National Youth Sports Festival 2012:Nuwan and Manomi champion cyclists

Priyan de Silva Matara Sports Corr.

Y A Nuwan Dulantha (centre), K G A Priyantha Jayalal (left) and Ranjeewa Perera (right)

G G Manomi Kumari in action

Winners of the women’s marathon

S Chathuranga Winner of the Men’s walking race

Start of the women’s race walk

Y A Nuwan Dulantha of Colombo and G G Manomi Kumari of Ampara took the men’s and women’s cycling titles at the 24th National Youth Sports Festival last Saturday. The Cycling, Race walking and Marathon events were worked off at Matara over the week end.

The Men’s cycling race covered a distance of 102.6 kilometers commencing opposite the Jayasuriya grounds in Matara and passing through Thihagoda, Kamburupitiya, Kirinda Puhulwella, Hakmana, Denagama, Walasmulla, Weeraketiya, Thangalla, Dickwella, Gandara , Devinuwara and finished opposite the Jayasuriya grounds. About 80 cyclists faced the starter and the majority stuck together until Tangalla. With 40 kilometers to go the leading five broke away from the pack and held their lead till the end.

The women’s race which was 50.6 kilometers started at the Jayasuriya grounds and passed through Thihagoda, Kamburupitiya, Kirinda Puhulwella, Yatiyana, Hakmana and finished at Matara. 12 cyclists faced the starter in the women’s event and Manomi Kumari led from the start.

A A D S Madhusanka of Kaluthara won the marathon event for men covering a distance of 42.195 kilometers in a time of 2 hours 44 minutes and one second. W M B Ruwani Nisansal covered the 21.0975 kilometer course in one hour twenty six minutes and forty five seconds to take first place. D M Maheshika Madushani was second with a time of 1:29.19. The delayed start resulted in the competitors having to endure the hot sun at the end.

[Cycling - Men ]

Y A Nuwan Dulantha (11) Colombo
K G A Priyantha Jayalal (65) Hambanthota
Ranjeewa Perera (04) Colombo

[Cycling – Women ]

G G Manomi Kumari (12) Ampara
Ishara Nilmini (05) Anuradhapura
A M Dinesha Dilrukshi (09) Puttlam

[Race Walking – Men (over 20 years)]

M D Sampath (898) Matara
K P Dhanushka Sampath (905) Galle
K G S K Abeyrathna (903) Kurunegala

[Race Walking – Men (under 20 years)]

S Chathuranga (429) Matara
D W Pradeep Madhusanka (435) Hambanthota
B L M Kumara (437) Monaragala

[Race Walking – Women (above 20 years) ]

Start of the men’s cycling event

T H Dinusha (402) Galle
S P Malkanthi Deshapriya (397) Hambanthota
AM Indira Priyadarshani (404) Monaragala

[Race Walking – Women (under 20 years)]

P B Gayana ( 923) Matara
P P Ayanthi Jayawickrema (926) Kurunegala
J K M M Dhamayanthi (930) Monaragala

[Marathon Men]

A A D S Madhusanka (406) Kaluthara 2:44.01
G A R Wasantha Kumara (316) Galle
R M A Y Iranga Rathnayaka (349) Badulla

[Marathon Women]

W M B Ruwani Nisansala (148) Puttlam 1:26.45
D M Maheshika Madushani (105) Kurunegala 1:29.19
A M Disna (147) Badulla 1:32.24