Hurdlers Dharshana and Amesha smash records

Junior National Athletics Championships

by Reemus Fernando

Despite the uncertainty surrounding their participation in the World Junior Athletics Championships the two hurdlers who had already qualified for the major event showcased their readiness with some noteworthy performances on day two of the Junior National Athletics Championships at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Wednesday.

Top on the list was the record breaking feat of Dhanuka Dharshana of Ambagamuwa Central who won the Under 20 boys’ 400 metres hurdles event with a new meet record mark of 52.11 seconds.

Girls High School Kandy hurdler Amesha Hettiarachchi who is the other 400 metres hurdler to have qualified for the World Junior Championships smashed the meet record held by Yamani Dulanjali with a feat of 1:01.04 seconds in the Under 20 heats on Tuesday with a time of 1:04.40 to win the gold.

Later in the day Amesha set a new meet record in the 100 metres hurdles with a time of 14.86 seconds. She was pushed hard in the final by Swarnamali Balika athlete Samadhi Lakshani who also bettered the previous record. She clocked 14.93 secs.

A number of junior athletes have reached qualifying standards for the World Junior Championships but the participation of the full strength team still remains uncertain due to lack of funds. Some athletes have received the backing of sponsors and Sri Lanka Athletics is yet to receive the support to field the entire team.

Ratnayake Central runner Tharushi Karunaratne who has the experience of taking part in the last Junior World Championship also won her pet event (800 meters) clocking 2:10.18 seconds. The day’s best 800 metres performance in the girls category was by Shanika Lakshani who returned a time of 2:08.44 seconds to win the Under 23 event.

Kavishka Sri Bandara of Elapatha MV, Ratnapura produced the fastest time in all four age categories in the boys 800 metres. He clocked 1:54.09 seconds to win.

Madushani Herath of Nannapurawa MV, Moneragala continued to improve her profile winning the second gold medal of the meet. The athlete who won the long jump on May 9, sat for her O/L exam and returned to win the Under 18 girls’ triple jump with a feat of 11.24 metres yesterday.

Ambagamuwa Central had success in the Under 18 400 metres hurdles as Ayomal Akalanka clinched the gold in that event.

The second day began with Sadeesha Anusanka of Moratu Maha Vidyalaya winning the Under 20 boys 10,000 metres (35:14.57 secs).

A feat of 13.5 metres in the Under 16 boys’ triple jump by Heshan Dulanjna Jayathilika of Lyceum International, Wattala, a throw of 15.13 metres by S. Mithunraj of Hartley College, Point Pedro in the Under 20 boys’ shot put and Isali Malkethmi of Lyceum International, Wattala winning the Under 18 girls’ discus throw (28.54m) ahead of her teammate Chethana Kavindi (28.14) were among the highlights in the morning session of the meet.

Sri Lanka Athletics was yet to announce the official results of the events held in the afternoon when this edition was ready for press.