Shanika shatters Dilshi’s 800m record
Firing on all cylinders with significant performances, six new meet records tumbled on the first day of the Junior National Athletics Championship 2019 which commenced at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Monday (2nd) .
17- year-old Shanika Lakshani shattered Asian Junior Bronze Medalist Dilshi Kumarasinghe’s U-18 800m record clocking 2.13.12 seconds in the 800m heats, and went on to win the gold medal in the final clocking 2.14.77 seconds. However, her performance in the heats stands as the new meet record.
In other girls’ events, K. Shashikala Dilshani of Makandura MMV also established a new meet record in the 10,000m Race Walk by clocking 57.12.22 sec., while Ovini Chandrasekara of Bishop’s College, Colombo also set a new meet record in the Shot Put with an impressive throw of 13.19m.
In the boys’ events, Kavindu Rashmika of Lexicon International School, Kandy and Ravindu Chirath of St. Benedict’s College, Colombo, finished neck and neck, as they excelled in the 800m Under-18 boys’ event, which showcased their potential as promising prospects for the future,. They both clocked an impressive time of 1.59.41 sec. in the event to establish a new meet record. However, Kavindu was awarded first place.
Rumesh Tharanga and Hirusha Hashen of St Peter’s College also established new meet records in the U-18 Discus Throw and Long Jump events with a performance of 49.92m and 7.28m respectively.
The Junior National Athletic Championships 2019 featured some of Sri Lanka’s top school level athletes who are sure to be in the spotlight in the future.
