Sports
Upeksha reaches personal best to win maiden triple jump title
by Reemus Fernando
Undergrad Shashini Upeksha reached her personal best to join the 13 metres club in the women’s triple jump as she turned the tables on the favourite to win the title of the National Sports Festival at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Thursday.
The Wayamba University undergraduate cleared a distance of 13.05 metres in her final attempt to beat the Asian Championship participant Randi Himasha Cooray to second place. Cooray cleared a distance of 13.01 metres to settle for the silver.
Upeksha was the second runner-up at the recently held National Championships behind national record holder Vidusha Lakshani and Cooray. At the National Championships, the duo made jumps beyond 13 metres, while Upeksha’s best was 12.97 metres. While Lakshani did not compete yesterday, Cooray was the only opponent who was threatening her title aspirations.
It is also the first major title for the 25-year-old who has taken up the discipline seriously only three years ago. With Upeksha, Sri Lanka now has three active athletes who have cleared the 13 metres mark in the triple jump this season.Upeksha’s six jumps were measured at 12.75, 12.48, 12.60, 12.68, 12.73 and 13.05 metres.
“I once won the triple jump at school level but did not fully concentrate on the event until three years ago. I would like to thank my coach (Suresh Kumara) for extending all the support I needed. When I joined the university, he used to take all the trouble to make visits to Kuliyapitiya in the mornings for at least twice a week to observe my jumps before I left for the university. I would not have accomplished this if not for his support,” Upeksha told The Island.
In the other events, Vinodani Lakmali and Nesarasa Daksitha established new meet records in the Women’s Discus Throw and Pole Vault respectively. Lakmali from North Central Province cleared a distance of 44.59 metres to bag the gold medal ahead of Western Province thrower Ishara Madurangi (42.72m) who was the only other athlete to clear the 40 metres mark in the women’s discus throw. Northerner Dakshitha cleared 3.5 metres to enter the record books in the pole vault.
Central Province runner Wathsala Herath won the gold in the 10,000 metres finishing in a time of 36 minutes and 10.2 seconds, while Lanka Ariyadasa from Sabaragamuwa finished second some 26 seconds later.
Olympian Sumedha Ranasinghe produced probably the best performance of the day in the men’s category, though he managed only a throw of 77.23 metres for gold. Former St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya athlete Rumesh Tharanga won the silver with a feat of 76.45 metres.
While Hemantha Kumara clocked 14:48.95 seconds to win the men’s 5,000 metres for Western Province, Southern Province anchored by former national record holder Vinoj Suranjaya won the men’s 4×100 metres in a time of 41.4 seconds.
Western Province suffered disappointment when a dropped baton cost them a probable medal in the women’s 4×100 metres relay, which was won by Southern Province. The team was anchored to victory by Asian Championship gold medalist Nadeesha Ramanayake. They clocked 48.5 seconds to win.
Results:
Women’s 10,000m: 1. G.Wathsala Herath of CP 36:10.2 secs, 2. Lanka Ariyadasa of SGP 36:34.4 secs, 3. Nimesha Nidharshani of UP 37:59.6 secs.
Women’s Pole Vault:
1. Nesarasa Daksitha of NP 3.5m, 2. U.T. Wickramasekara of WP 3.2 m, 3. K.A.C.K. Kodithuwakku of CP 3.00m.
Women’s Discus Throw:
1. A.G. Vinodani Lakmali of NCP 44.59 m, 2. P.A. Ishara Madurangi of WP 42.72m, 3. A.M. Chanuka Athapaththu of WP 37.33m.
Women’s Triple Jump:
1. E.M. Shashini Upeksha of WP 13.05 metres, 2. Randi Himasha Cooray of WP 13.01m, 3. G.I.S. Lankathilaka of NWP 12.49m.
Women’s 4x100m Relay:
1. Southern Province 48.54 secs, 2. North Western Province 48.56 secs, 3. Sabaragamuwa Province 48.95 secs.
Men’s 5000m:
1. D. Hemantha Kumara of WP 14:48.95 secs, 2. D.M.D.S. Dissanayake of NCP 15:14.12 secs, 3. W.A. Tharindu Danushka of UP 15:20.70 secs.
Men’s Javelin Throw:
1. Sumeda Ransinghe of SGP 77.23 m. 2. Rumesh Tharanga of WP 76.45m, 3. D.S. Ranasinghe of SP 71.80m.
Men’s 4×100 m Relay:
1. Southern Province 41.4 secs, 2. North Western Province 41.5 secs, 3. Uva Province 41.9 secs.
Eshan Malinga returned career best figures of four for 46, but his impressive spell could not prevent Pakistan from breaching the 300 run mark in the curtain-raiser of the ODI tri-nation series in Rawalpindi on Sunday.
Pakistan were bowled out for 305, with former captain Salman Ali Agha leading the charge with his fourth ODI hundred.
Agha struck a fluent 107 off 90 deliveries, peppering the boundary with ten fours and a six before falling to Asitha Fernando. The Sri Lankan seamer was equally impressive, returning tidy figures of three for 39.
Agha featured in a 97 run partnership with Hasan Nawaz and at 215 for four with 13 overs remaining, Pakistan appeared poised for a formidable total. However, Sri Lanka’s bowlers clawed their way back into the contest, applying the brakes just when the hosts threatened to run away with the game.
On a surface tailor made for batting, Sri Lanka’s late fightback could prove crucial, with the visitors fancying their chances of chasing down the target.
Left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka finished with two for 67, although his figures flattered him somewhat. He was guilty of straying onto the pads far too often, offering the Pakistan batters several scoring opportunities.
Sri Lanka went into the contest with just four specialist bowlers, leaving the part timers to shoulder a fair share of the workload. To their credit, the makeshift attack rose to the occasion, sharing ten overs between three bowlers without allowing Pakistan to completely dictate terms.
Dasun Shanaka did the lion’s share of the work, sending down seven overs, while Sahan Arachchige and Kamindu Mendis chipped in with the remaining three.
Sri Lanka also welcomed back top order batter Avishka Fernando, who returned to the ODI fold after spending several years on the sidelines.
England are the third team in the tri-nation competition, which serves as valuable preparation for next year’s World Cup.
The opening three matches will be played in Rawalpindi before the tournament shifts to Lahore for the remaining fixtures, including the final.
Sri Lanka are in the midst of a marathon 50 day tour of Pakistan. Having already completed a three-match T20I series, they will turn their attention to the tri-nation tournament before playing a First Class warm-up fixture followed by two Tests.
19 Division I – Tier ‘A’ Cricket
by Reemus Fernando
The top eight teams begin their battle for the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ limited-overs title today, when Mahinda College, Galle, take on St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa, in the first quarter-final at Dombagoda.
Led by Dulsith Dharshana, Mahinda qualified for the knockout stage with wins over St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota (by five wickets), Royal College, Colombo (by six wickets) and Lumbini (by ten wickets). Their only defeat came against St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya, the only side to top 200 against them. In their other matches, Mahinda’s bowlers kept opponents to low totals.
That bowling unit, spearheaded by left-arm paceman Sadew Nethmina, appears to have peaked ahead of the crucial clash. They bundled Lumbini out for 40 in their last match, with Nethmina and Vishmitha Sathsara sharing nine wickets between them.
St. Sebastian’s reached the knockout stage on the back of wins over Maris Stella College, Negombo, and D. S. Senanayake College, Colombo. Their match against Sri Sumangala College, Panadura, ended without a result because of rain, while they lost by two wickets to Richmond, the eventual group champions.
St. Sebastian’s boast a strong batting line-up, with Hirusha Perera, Navinu Fernando, Lashen Fernando, Thivanka Fernando and Meshone Ferdinando all making notable contributions in the group stage. Skipper Koshendra Fernando is expected to lead the bowling attack with his spin, supported by Adeesha Lakshan, Lashen Fernando and Risinu Prabesh.
Teams
Mahinda (from):
Dulsith Darshana (Captain), Sadew Nethmina (Vice Captain), Randula Mabarana, Manitha Rajapaksha, Sehas Ashinsa, Kaveesha Githmal, Thiyon Helika, Kavindu Nimsata, Gesandu Bisas, Vishmitha Sathsara, Buddhima Tharupathi, Naviru Nishitha, Nihindu Sesitha, Anuga Palliyaguru, Senuja Vehan, Kevin Geemitha, Bakshara Jayarathne.
Officials: Denuwan Rajakaruna (Head Coach), Sandaru Nethmina (Asst. Coach), Y. Nishantha Kumara (Master in Charge)
St. Sebastian’s (from): Koshendra Fernando (Captain), Meshone Ferdinando, Nisila Dimath, Navinu Fernando, Hirusha Lochana, Lashen Fernando, Thejan Bandara, Chamath Wellalage, Risinu Prabesh, Sanoj Perera, Deneth Keshara, Adeesha Lakshan, Dilena Fernando, Thiwanka Fernando, Shenas Hashein, Pathiv Vehan, Dineepa Wickramsooriya.
Officials:
Lahiru Kanishka (Head coach), Nishantha Fernando (Asst. Coach), Sandaru Tharusha Perera (Master in Charge)
The other three quarter finals will be played on Tuesday as per the below schedule.
Mahanama Colombo V St. Joseph’s Darley Road at Mattegoda
Nalanda Colombo V St. Anthony’s Katugastota at Campbell Place
Richmond Galle V Wesley Colombo at Weeraketiya
Several big names fell at the first hurdle, including last year’s finalists Royal College, Colombo, as well as S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, Trinity College, Kandy, and St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya. Royal and St. Peter’s were in the same group and finished behind Mahinda and St. Anthony’s. S. Thomas’ were in Group ‘A’, where Mahanama and Wesley edged out the rest to book their places.
by Reemus Fernando
Asian Junior Championship medallist Mihinsa Dewmini Abeyratne broke a ten-year-old meet record to win the Under 20 high jump at the All Island Schools Games Athletics Championship at Diyagama on Sunday.
The President’s College, Embilipitiya, athlete cleared 1.75 metres, equalling her personal best, to erase the record of Poornima Gunarathne of Leeds International, Panadura. Gunarathne’s mark of 1.74 metres had stood since 2016.
Trained by retired sports officer Gamini Dias, Mihinsa was expected to achieve something special this season after setting a personal best of 1.75 metres at the same venue earlier this year. She followed that with a bronze medal at the Asian Junior Championship in Hong Kong.
Hers was one of six meet records to fall by the time this report was filed on day three of the meet.
In the girls’ category, Lyceum International School, Wattala, and Ave Maria Convent, Negombo, set new marks in relay events. In a closely contested Under 14 4×100 metres final, Lyceum clocked 51.35 seconds to erase Musaeus College’s 2019 record. Ladies’ College, who finished second in 51.52, also bettered the previous mark.
Ave Maria Convent edged Nimala Maria Balika in another tight finish to win the Under 16 girls’ 4×100 metres in a new meet record of 49.49 seconds. Nimala Maria Balika also bettered the old record.
In the boys’ category, Sadeesh Denuwan of Halmillaketiya MV stole the limelight with a new meet record of 11.22 seconds in the Under 14 80 metres hurdles. Maneesha Samarasinghe of Lyceum International, Wattala, set a new record of 13.09 seconds in the Under 16 100 metres hurdles.
Lyceum International, Wattala, also set a new meet record of 3:13.76 in the Under 20 4×400 metres relay.
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