Negombo Zonal Schools Athletics Championship

Maris Stella College, Thimbirigaskatuwa stunned track and field stronghold Maris Stella College, Negombo in what turned out to be a battle between the two brother schools for the boys’ title at the Negombo Zonal Schools Athletics Championship conducted last week.

The athletes from Thimbirigaskatuwa aggregated 224 points to clinch the boys’ title of the zone for the first time in history as they turned tables on Maris Stella, Negombo who had to settle for the runner up position with 195 points.

For the school from Thimbirigaskatuwa the most outstanding performances were registered by athletes in higher age categories.

In the Under 16 age category, Dinuka Thinesh stood out winning the first place in the 200m (23.1 secs) and the 400m (52 secs). In the 300m hurdles he was placed third with a time of 43.6 secs. Shermin Sasmika won the 800m (2.08.06 secs) and was placed third in the 400m (53.3sec). Lyons Adeesha won two podium places (100m – 2nd 11.3 secs and 200m 3rd – 23.8secs). Hansana Fonseka (Shot Put 1st – 13.93m), Yugath Harshad (High Jump 1st – 1.80m) and Ashen Denuwan (Javeline throw 1st- 51.55m) won maximum points for the school in their respective pet events. Namindu Gimhan (Long Jump 2nd – 6.36m), Ramiru Disen (Long Jump 3rd – 6.06m), Shevan Methusha (High Jump 3rd -1.60m), Thenuk Nethvin (100m hurdle 2nd – 14.2 secs) and Nawum Nichole (Javelin throw 2nd- 50.50m) were the others to excell in that age category.

The Under 18 age category saw Ramiru Nisalitha (1500m 1st – 4:28 secs, 3000m 1st -10: 08 secs) and Deesara Herath (Long Jump 1st- 6.91m, Triple Jump 1st – 14.05m) winning two titles each and brothers Pawan Nethya Sampath (2.05m) and Thushera Nethsara Sampath (1.85m) winning the first and second places respectively in the high jump.

Thiwra Thathsara clocked 14.8 seconds to clinch the 110m hurdles title (400m 3rd- 58.4 secs), while Ashmika Shinal (100m 2nd -10.98 secs, 200m 3rd – 22 secs and 400m 3rd -52.4 secs), Ranidu Induwara (400m hurdles- 60 secs), Senesh Nisal (110m hurdle 3rd- 15.2 secs) and Induwara Sathmin (Triple Jump 2nd- 13.58m, Pole Vault 1st- 3.80m) won podium places.

In the Under 20 age category Thehara Ravishka Fernando won the triple jump (14.20m) and long jump (7.09m) while placing second in the high jump(1.78m). Onel Sejan too won two events (1500m 1st – 4: 34 secs, 5,000m 1st – 17:22 secs). Yohan Madurawala (javelin throw – 1st – 46.34m, pole vault 3rd- 2.50m), Romesh Antonio (javelin throw 2nd – 46.19m), Thenuka Nimnad (shot put 1st – 10.65m, javelin throw 3rd – 44.51m), Dushan Priyanjana (discus throw 2nd – 30.34m), Dilan Thejan (110 hurdle 2nd – 15.7secs, long jump 3rd place – 6.49m, triple jump – 2nd 14.12m), Shan Adithya (pole vault 3rd place – 2.50m), Isuru Shiwanka (shot put 2nd – 9.90m), Nipun Ishanka Fernando (800m 1st – 2:07 secs, 1500m 2nd- 4:36 secs), Yasiru Vidushan (400m hurdle 2nd – 61.2 secs, 800m 2nd 2:09 secs) and Lyon Nimantha (400m hurdle 3rd – 61.7 secs) were the others who won podium places.

Thisen Thinulaka, Minuga Nissankara, Namesh Dilshad and Rinaldo Nimsara in the Under 12 age category and Lishen Pehesara (long jump 3rd – 5.51m) and Rashon Kalubowila (80m Hurdle 2nd- 12.3secs) in the Under 14 category were the others to have made their presence felt.Incidentally, the coaching staff of title winning Maris Stella Thimbirigaskatuwa are inclusive of former athletes of Maris Stella Negombo.