Iron man Ajith makes history crossing 7000 points

Sri Lankan Iron Man Ajith Karunathilaka crossed 7000 points for the first time in the island’s history in the decathlon as he eclipsed his own Sri Lanka record in the 95th National Athletics Championship, continued at Diyagama Friday(01st).

Ajith who got his first international event this year in the Thailand Open Athletics Championship could not impress much over there, even though he managed to win the bronze medal. His performance was not enough for him to break into the Asian Championship Team but he had replied his omission now with another record breaking performance and a little bit of improvement in his throwing events could see him in the Asian Games podium next year.

He is training under Coach Rohitha Fernando and initially was a pole-vaulter who represented Sri Lanka at the Asian Junior Championship back in 2012 before taking up the decathlon.

Earlier Jaffna’s vaulting queen Anitha Jagatheshwaran and heptathlon athlete Lakshika Sugandhi eclipsed her own Sri Lanka records.

Anitha who had eclipsed her own record three times earlier once again shattered it with a 3.47m leap even though she was not happy about it as she was eyeing 3.50m mark.

Sugandhi collected a total of 4879 points to set the record in the heptathlon.

Sprinter Yupun Abeykoon, who was in Italy for a while prior to this race, sealed the 100m National title beating favorite Vinoj Suranjaya de Silva clocking 10.51 seconds. Vinoj limped just as Yupun came in front in the latter part of the race and looked injured, as he went down on the track and could not get up for a while. Yupun had a clear edge before Vinoj limped in the race.

The Asian Championship 200m silver medalist , Rumeshika Rathnayake sealed the women’s 100m with ease clocking 11.82 seconds while Shashika Vidanaguruge finished second. School girl from Swarnamali GC Kandy, Amasha de Silva finished third.

Meanwhile, middle distance runner Gayanthika Abeyrathne clocked 4 minutes 20.64 seconds to win 1500m with a new meet record even though her dream of shattering 4 minutes 16 seconds SL record had to wait on hold. She was well challenged by SL record holder Champika Dilrukshi and 3000m steeple chase record holder Nilani Rathnayake who finished second and third respectively. Tharika Fernando (Shot Put) and Samantha Pushpakumara (3000m steeple chase) also set new meet records.

In the men’s triple jump, Sanjaya Jayasinghe leapt 16.36m which is also the best jump by a Sri Lankan under wind measurement as the wind measurement gauge did not work when Eranda Fernando set the SL record of 16.37m back in 2012.

Dilip Ruwan regained his National title clocking 46.66 seconds in men’s 400m while Upamali Rathnakumari clocked her personal best of 53.63 seconds to win the women’s 400m. Interestingly Asian Championship finalist Nirmali Madushika finished in 4th place.

Nasty Accident

Pole Vaulter Kalpani Kodithuwakku faced a nasty accident as she landed vertically on the floor before the vaulting mattress as she tried to clear a height. She was taken to Homagama Hospital following the incident where she is now being treated. Nevertheless she has escaped without a major damage.

Men

10000m: 1. Lionel Samarajeewa 31:37.7 sec, 2.NA Bandara 31:38.2 sec, 4. AP Maduranga 31:43. 8 sec
Shot Put: 1. Joy Dhanushka Perera 15.35m , 2. Samitha Jayawardana 15.19m , 3. SM Fernando 14.36m
1500m: 1. Hemantha Kumara 3:49.99 sec, 2. GR Chathuranga 3:51. 23 sec, 3. KT Fonseka 3:52.40 sec
100m: 1. Yupun Abeykoon 10.52 sec, 2. Mohammad Ashraf 10.71 sec, 3. Shehan Ambepitiya 10.77 sec
400m : 1. Dilip Ruwan 46.66 sec, 2. Ajith Premakumara 46.85 sec, 3. Kalinga Kumarage 47.40 sec
Triple Jump: 1. Sanjaya Jayasinghe 16.36m , 2. Atheetha Karunasinghe 15.98m , 3. NS Ahamed 15.96m
300m St. Ch: 1. M.S. Pushpakumara 8:52.19 sec (NMR), 2. UB Herath 9:07.36 sec, 3. GC Fernando 9:16.56 sec
High Jump : 1. Manjula Kumara 2.21m , 2. Ushan Thivanka 2.15m , 3. AK Pathirana 2:5m
Hammer Throw: 1. SR Kumarasiri 49.21, 2. EP Alansan 48.73m, 3. Sisira Kumara 48.01m

Women

Javelin Throw: 1. Anne Maheshi de Silva 48.44m, 2. PH Madhuwanthi 45.41m , 3. PD Clarence 37.43m
Pole Vault: 1. Anitha Jagatheshwaran 3.47m , 2. SP Ranasinghe 3.20m , 3. C Herina 3.00m
1500m: 1. Gayanthika Abeyrathne 4:20.64 sec, 2.ChampikaDilrukshi 4:20.92 sec, 3.NilaniRathnayaka 4:21.14 sec
100m: Rumeshika Rathnayake 11.82 sec, 2. Shashika Vidanaguruge 12.15 sec, 3. Amasha de Silva 12.16 sec
400m: 1. Upamali Rathnakumari 53.63 sec, 2. Nadeesha Ramanayaka 54.69 sec, 3. Nimali Liyanarachchi 55.14 sec
Shot Put: 1. Tharika Fernado 14.52m , 2. Nadeeka Muthunayaka 12.62m , 3. PD Clarence 11.81 m
Heptathlon: 1. Lakshika Sugandhi 4879 points, 2. SN Fernando 4251 points, 3. Sachithra Jayakantha 4135 points