Ayesha, Nilani defend titles
Thrower Ayesha Madhuwanthi and steeplechaser Nilani Rathnayake defended their National titles during the 95th National Athletics Championship at Diyagama yesterday.
Air women Madhuwanthi the National record holder of the hammer throw took on the discus after sometime and registered a seasonal best throw of 41.67m to win the event.
“I haven’t trained for the discus throw in a while as my focus was on my pet event the hammer “said Madhuwanthi following the event.
Madhuwanthi trained by Coach Madhawa Bandara Senarath got her first international event this year after being on top of her performance in the hammer and discuss. For the last five years she renewed the hammer throw record on four occasions. She will now look to repeat her last year’s throwing double as she walked into her pet event the hammer throw.
Meanwhile Nilani Rathnayake who had a disappointing outing in the Asian Championship giving up on the race at half way mark returned to winning ways as she sealed her pet event the 3000m steeple chase with a time of 10 minutes and 24 seconds. The athlete who trained under Coach Sajith Jayalal clocked 10:3.94 seconds and was within medal reach at Asian Championship yet failed miserably in India.
In the only men’s final of the day, Upendra Jayawardana who finished second last year beat defending champion ZTM Asik to win the discus throw with a distance of 50.77m.
Chathurdika Thilakarathne sealed her maiden long jump National title with 5.93m with Anjani Pulwansa narrowly missing out with leap of 5.92m.
In distance running Anusha Lamahewa was able to beat defending champion Nilani Ariyadasa in 10000m with a time of 36 minutes 02.56 seconds.
National record holder of the decathlon, Ajith Karunathilaka was leading the event after its first day of competition while heptathlon SL record holder Lakshika Sugandhi was leading the event after the first day of the competition. Interestingly Sugandhi also competing in the individual 100m and 100m hurdle events at the Nationals won her the 100m heats yesterday.
Vinoj Suranjaya de Silva and Rumeshika Rathnayake are favourites to win 100m men and women finals today as they clocked best times in the heats well in advance from others. Meanwhile in the 400m it will be an open battle where Dilip Ruwan is favourite to win the men’s event. Women’s 400m race will be wide open with Upamali Rathnakumari who dipped under 54 seconds will take on Asian Championship participant Nirmali Madushika and 800m Asian Championship gold medalist Nimali Liyanarachchi who will only compete in the 400m at this year’s Nationals.
Results
Men
Discus Throw : 1. Upendra Jayawardana 50.77m , 2. TM Aasik 42.48m , 3. DB Rathnayaka 41.32 m
Women
Long Jump : 1. Chathurdika Thilakarathne 5.93m , 2. Anjani Pulwansa 5.92m , 3. RS Dilanki 5.43m
Discus Throw : 1. Ayesha Madhuwanthi 41.67m , 2. SK Weerasekara 41.50m , 3. VV Lakmali 39.04m
10000m: 1. Anusha Lamahewa 36:02.56 sec, 2. Nilani Ariyadasa 36:02.82 sec, PM Perera 36:56.58 sec
3000m Steeple Chase: 1. Nilani Rathnayake 10 minutes 24 seconds
