Sri Lanka’s athletics fraternity bids adieu today to one of its finest champions, Olympian Kosala Sahabandu, who passed away on Saturday (14) at the age of 76 after a period of illness.

‎Regarded as one of the greatest athletes to emerge from the island, Sahabandu brought honour to the nation through outstanding performances on the regional and international stage. He was a member of the Sri Lankan quartet that clinched the 4×400 metres relay gold medal with a Games record at the 1974 Asian Games, a landmark achievement in Sri Lanka’s track-and-field history.

He later represented the country in the relay at the 1980 Moscow Olympics and again competed at the 1982 Asian Games, continuing to serve as a pillar of the national team.

‎An alumnus of Mahinda College, Sahabandu began his athletics journey at the age of 15 under the guidance of Colonel Jayathilaka. He later came under the tutelage of K.L.F Wijedasa, where his talent matured into championship calibre.

‎Sahabandu etched his name into the record books by becoming the first Sri Lankan to run the 800 metres in 1:53.00 seconds. The national record he set in 1974 remained unbeaten for 14 years, underscoring his exceptional endurance and speed. A member of the Ceylonese Track and Field Club, he also represented Sri Lanka at the 1979 Asian Athletics Championships and later contributed to the sport as a national selector, helping guide future generations of athletes.

‎His funeral is scheduled to take place on Monday (16), as the athletics fraternity mourns the loss of a true sporting hero whose legacy will continue to inspire Sri Lankan athletics for years to come. (RF)

Sri Lanka National record holder Rumesh Tharanga delivered a world leading throw to win the men’s javelin at the Perth Track Classic on Saturday.

‎World Athletics top list for the season displayed Tharanga’s performance as the only throw beyond the 80 metres mark this year.

‎The former St. Peter’s College Bambalapitiya athlete had remarkable success last year finishing the season among the top ten in the world with his 86.50 metres throw in India as his best.

‎His world leading performance in the early season will augur well ahead of a bussy season inclusive of Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.

‎Meanwhile, sprinter Amasha de Silva clocked 7.47 seconds to win the first place in the 60 metres at a championship at the Athletic Center Olga Rypakova, Ust-Kamenogors Kazakhastan. (RF)

Dinara de Silva won her sixth ITF J30 Junior title when she clinched the girls’ singles crown of the ITF week 3 tournament in Colombo.

‎She beat Shiwali Gurung of Nepal 6-4, 6-3 to win her fourth such title on her home soil. She won her other two J30 titles in Pakistan.

‎Junya Kawamula of Japan won the boys’ singles crown with a 6-2, 7-6 win over Patrick Grigore of Russia. Iunya was also the singles winner of the week 2 tournament.

‎In the boys’ doubles final, Ganuka Fernando joined Alfaradu Sumirath of Indonesia to beat Bin Hun Tasiya of Taipei and Yu Tin Wu of China 6-3, 7-6. ‎

Dinara de Silva (Pix by Kamal Wanniarachchi)