Amazing Nimali shatters 1500m record in her first attempt in 9 years
Middle distance runner Nimali Liyanarachchi has always been a star in the 800m, with an Asian Championship gold medal – among other laurels –to her name; but on Friday she tried something old instead of new, returning to the 1500m event after lapse of 9 years, and the gamble was successful as she shattered the 7-year old Sri Lanka record held by Champika Dilrukshi by clocking 4 minutes 15.86 seconds at the 97th National Athletics Championship which commenced at Sugathadasa Stadium on Friday .
Hailing from Sooriyawewa, 30-year old Nimali ran most of the race behind the longtime champion Gayanthika Abeyrathne, her rival in the 800m. But just as they approached the last stretch Nimali discovered she had more reserves left at her disposal in the tank and unleashed her trademark sprint, which had won her several 800m races, here in 1500m too to break the record.
“I wasn’t sure about how to balance the 1500m race as it’s been ages since I had last competed in it at national level. So I tried to run as close as possible to Gayanthika and just as we approached the last 80m or so I saw it was 4.00 or something at the clock and realized I had a chance at the record and then I just ran as fast as I could”, said a jubilant Nimali after the race.
Her coach, Sujith Abeysekara said that the 1500m wasn’t just a fluke as they have been preparing to tackle it for some time, with special emphasis on high altitude training.
“I realize that for Nimali to continue to thrive in athletics we have to move higher in the distance, so the 1500m has been in our plans. We trained in Nuwara Eliya for months and only came down just a few weeks ago. Nimali ran in the Provincial 1500m before this at a grass track and her timing was good, so we decided to try it at the nationals too. She will continue to run in both the 800m and 1500m’, stated Abeysekara.
Vidusha wins in Long Jump
Nimali wasn’t the only one who tried out a slightly different event; national triple jump record holder and Asian Championship bronze medalist Vidusha Lakshani decided to compete in long jump as well. The result was overwhelming as the 22-year old leapt 6.23m, her personal best and the best long jump by a SL female athlete in nearly four years. Vidusha took only three jumps as she leapt 5.88m followed by 6.23m in her first two attempts and then passed on the third attempt. In her first attempt in the best eight round she leapt 6.19m, and did not utilize the next two attempts as her coach advised her against further exertion: since he did not want to risk any strain or injury leading up to Vidusha’s pet event,the upcoming triple jump.
Agony for Shelinda
Sprinter Shelinda Jansen was brought low by an unfortunate hamstring injury during the 100m heats. The 18-year old Gateway student who won both the nationals trials earlier this year made a good start and looked good for the first 20-30m, but suddenly faltered and slowed down before falling off to the ground in obvious pain. She had to be carried off from the stadium by the medical staff, her agony as much mental as it was physical.
Meanwhile, defending South Asian gold medalist Rumeshika Rathnayaka and Asian Junior silver medalist Amasha de Silva finished first and second in the other heat and advanced to today’s 100m finals’ but neither of them looked to be at their best, both failing to clock at least a sub-12 seconds time.
In other highlights of the day triple jumper Safreen Ahamed leapt a personal best of 16.33m to win the event, beating Sri Lanka record holder and Asian Championship finalist Greshan Dhananjaya; heptathlete Lakshika Sugandhi clocked a personal best of 13.59 seconds to win the 100m hurdles; Nilani Rathnayaka clocked an impressive 9 minutes 50.74 seconds running a lone race in the 3000m steeplechase; and Roshan Dammika Ranathunga defended his 110m hurdle title by clocking 14.16 seconds.
Men’s Results
Triple Jump: 1. Safreen Ahamed 16.33m, 2. Greshan Dhananjaya 16.10m , 3. J.M. Jayarathne 15.76m
Discus Throw: 1. Gayan Jayawardhena 50.59m, 2. P.J. Bandula 43.90m , 3. M.S. Niroshana 43.68m
110m Hurdles: 1. Roshan Dammuka Ranathunga 14.16 sec, 2. Hasith Nirmal 14.53 sec, 3. D.D. Ariyarathna 14.68 sec
Women’s Results
1500m: 1. Nimali Liyanarachchi 4 mins.15.86 secs, 2. Gayanthika Abeyrathne 4: 22.24, 3. N.A. Kumari 4:49.77
3000m Steeplechase: 1. Nilani Rathnayaka 9:50.74, 2. W.N. Kumari 11:00.12, 3. Eranga Dulakshi 11:02.97
High Jump: 1. Dulanjali Ranasinghe 1.75m, 2. S.M. Madushani 1.69m, 3. Ishara Pallegama 1.65m
Discus Throw: 1. V.V. Lakmali 44.90m, 2. M.P. Perera 42.00m, 3. Poornima Perera 36.94m
Long Jump: 1. Vidusha Lakshani 6.23m, 2. Anjani Pulwansa 6.02m, 3. Harshani Jayakantha 6.00m
100m Hurdles: 1. Lakshika Sugandhi 13.59 secs, 2. Ireshani Rajasinghe 13.90sec, W.K. Hapuarachchi 14.84 secs
Full Results and Schedule :- http://bit.ly/97Nationals
Videos :- http://bit.ly/2KCJUuK
