Games records under threat as Tharushi targets triple titles

All Island Schools Games Athletics Championship

by Reemus Fernando

South Asian Junior Championship medallist Tharushi Abisheka is among top notch athletes to watch when the All-Island Schools Games Athletics Championship commences at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Friday.

The Wickramabahu Central, Gampola athlete will be aiming for triple titles in the Under 18 category where she has the potential to break meet records in all three individual events.

A medal prospect at next year’s Asian Youth Athletics Championship, Abisheka commenced the year with a 2:09.16 seconds performance in the 800 metres. That feat in March was Asia’s best performance in her age category till July. Competing in the Under 20 age category at the South Asian Junior Athletics Championship in India she bagged the 800 metres gold with an effort of 2:10.17 seconds.

Following such impressive performances, she was the favourite for titles at the Sir John Tarbat Senior Athletics Championship. She lived up to her reputation winning the 800 metres, 3000m and the 1500 metres. She took under her belt the meet records in the 800 metres and the 1500 metres early this month.

At the Schools Games, the athlete trained by Nuwan Buddhika is expected to produce a repeat performance. The Games record in the 1500 metres will be under threat as she carries a seasonal best of 4:35.84 seconds from the last meet. The other two meet records are written against the names of alumni of her school. She is expected to better those records as well.