Samadhi scales new heights, shatters 19-year-old record

by Reemus Fernando

Vijitha Central Dikwella athlete Nethra Samadhi scaled new heights in the Under 18 girls’ high jump as she shattered a meet record to provide a strong start to the field events on day one of the Sir John Tarbat Senior Athletics Championship at the Sygathadasa Stadium on Monday.

Samadhi cleared 1.69 metres to break the record which had stood unshaken for 19 years. The 2005 meet record of 1.68 metres was jointy held by Devi Balika, Colombo athletes Lakruwani Perera and Dulanjali Ranasinghe.

T.D.S.I. Rathnasiri of Ananda Maithriya MMV, Balangoda in action in the Under 20 boys’ discus throw.

There had been several contenders to the record but it had only been equalled during the last 19 years. L.H.S. Madushika also from Vijitha Central in 2009 and H.M.N. Madushani of Galenbindunuwewa MMV in 2011 were able to equal the record by clearing the same height.

In the other field events held in the morning, St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya athlete Thevindu Sandil (in the Under 18 long jump), Pawan Sakinda Sadanayaka of Bandaranaike College Gampaha (in the Under 20 triple jump), T.D.S.I. Rathnasiri of Ananda Maithriya MMV Balangoda (in the Under 20 boys’ discus throw) and Hirun Thilakaratne of Royal College, Colombo (Under 16 boys’ javelin throw) excelled reaching colours standards in their respective events.

Under 16 boys’ javelin throw winner Hirun Thilakaratne of Royal College, Colombo in action.