Who won what at the All Island Schools Games

by Reemus Fernando

The All Island Schools Games Athletics Championship concluded with Maris Stella College, Negombo and Lyceum International Wattala retaining the overall boys’ and girls’ titles at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Tuesday. Ratnayake Central Walala (girls) and Lyceum were the runners up in the two categories. During the five-day competition the athletes accounted for 31 meet records and four national junior and youth records.

Wickramabahu Central, Gampola athlete Tharushi Abisheka stood out as she won three titles with meet record performances. She shattered Dhammika Menike’s long standing national youth record (1985- 4:35.70 secs) and Shanika Lakshani’s National Junior record (2020- 4:33.40 secs) with a feat of 4:29.97 seconds in the Under 18 1500 metres. She went on to break the 800 metres and the 3,000 metres meet records as well.

Shashintha Silva of St. Sebastian’s College, Kandana excelled with a remarkable 46.85 seconds feat to break the national youth record in the 400 metres. He is the first Under 18 athlete to break the 47 seconds barrier in the 400 metres.

Vimansa Rajakaruna’s 21.42 seconds dash in the Under 18 200 metres renewed the national youth record.

The other major record breaking performance came from Ambagamuwa Central hurdler Ayomal Akalanka who renewed his own national junior record with a time of 51.16 seconds in the Under 20 400 metres hurdles.

Emerging athlete Ashain Thevarapperuma of Gateway College Rajagiriya bagged three titles with meet record performances in the Under 14 category. He clocked 22.82 seconds in the 100 metres and cleared 1.76 metres for the high jump title. His long jump record was 6.23 metres.

Holy Cross College, Gampaha sprinter Tharani Nirmina won the 100 metres (12.45 secs) and the 200 metres (25.41secs) with new meet record marks.

Shashintha Silva / Tharushi Abisheka

Under 14 Boys Best Athlete

Bhuvindu Hansana, Deniyaya Central College (Shot Put – 14.86m, 486

Points)

Under 14 Girls Best Athlete

Manuki P Vekadapola, Ave Maria Cenvent (60m– 8.15 Sec, New Meet Record,

364 Points)

Under 16 Boys Best Athlete

Theja Bandara, Sir John Kothalawala C C – Kurunegala(Long Jump – 6.82m,

884 Points)

Under 16 Girls Best Athlete

Dilni Rajapaksha, Lyceum International, Wattala (Long Jump – 5.94m, New Meet

Record, 988 Points)

Under 18 Boys Best Athlete

Yauwana Maleesha, De Mazenod College – Kandana (110m Hurdles – 13.92 Sec,

1081 Points)

Under 18 Girls Best Athlete

Tharushi Abhisheka, Wickramabahu Central, Gampola (1500m–4:29.97 min, New Meet Record, 977 Points)

Under 20 Boys Best Athlete

Ayomal Akalanka, Ambagamuwa Central College (400m Hurdles – 51.16 Sec,

New Meet Record, 1073)

Under 20 Girls Best Athlete

Madushani Herath, Nannapurawa Maha Vidyalaya (Long Jump – 6.19m, 1040 Points)

Throwing Events Boys/ Girls Best Athlete

H. V. Jayasinghe, St. Joseph’s Vas College (Shotput – 17.15m, New Meet Record, 951

Points)

Track Events Boys/ Girls Best Athlete

Omel Sashintha Fernando, St Sebastian College – Kandana (400m – 46.85 Sec, New Meet Record, 1055 Points)

Hurdle Events Boys/ Girls Best Athlete

A A D Yauwana Maleesha, De Mazenod College Kandana (110m Hurdles – 13.92 Sec,

1081 Points)

Jumping Events Boys/ Girls Best Athlete

H.A.N. M. Herath, Nannapurawa Maha Vidyalaya (Long Jump – 6.19m, 1040 Points)

Girls Best Athlete H A N M Herath, Nannapurawa Maha Vidyalaya (Long Jump – 6.19m, 1040 Points)

Boys Best Athlete

K L Ayomal Akalanka, Ambagamuwa Central College (400m Hurdles – 51.16 Sec,

New Meet Record, 1073)