Nethmika continues her impressive run to win Under 20 long jump

by Reemus Fernando

Emerging long jumper Nethmika Madushani Herath continued her impressive form as she produced the best long jump feat in the women’s category at the ongoing Youth Championships at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

The 16-year-old athlete representing Moneragala district cleared 5.65 metres to win the Under 20 girls’ long jump event on the opening day of the event and was set to compete for a place in the triple jump as well. The Nannapurawa MV athlete who hogged limelight at the recently held Youth Athletics Trial conducted by Sri Lanka Athletics was few centimeters below her personal best but her winning performance was better than that of the gold medal winner of the over 20 women’s event.

The over 20 women’s long jump gold medal was won by K.A.A. Sewwandi who was also from Moneragala. Incidentally Sewwandi cleared 5.53 metres.

Nethmika Madushani Herath, hailing from Medagama, Bibile is trained by Nannapurawa MV PTI Krishantha Kumara. Herath is one of the leading contenders to win a place in the country’s team for Asian Youth Athletics Championships which will be held in Kuwait in March.

Sri Lanka Athletics will conduct the final selection trial for the Asian Youth event in February.

Herath is one of many school athletes who excelled at the Youth National Championship. With no schools’ athletics competitions taking place since the 2019 All Island Schools Games, the Youth National Championship has given much needed exposure for athletes like Herath.