Pasindu Misses WJ Qualification By 10cm

St. Joseph’s College Triple Jumper Pasindu Malshan missed the World Junior qualification standard of 15.60m by 10cm at the National and Junior National Athletics trials held at Sugathadasa Stadium on Thursday.

Malshan will have two more chances – Junior National Championship and Senior Nationals in May – to qualify for the World Junior Championship. 400m runner Isuru Abeywardana is the only one who has achieved qualification standard so far from Sri Lanka.

During yesterday’s other events, Sri Lanka record holder Sachini Perera maintained her superiority in the pole vault event clearing 3.50m. Lakrani Perera put up a good performance after a while clearing 3.30m to clinch second place, while schoolgirl Imasha de Silva cleared 3.20m to take third place.

In the Discus Throw, SAG Bronze medalist Ishara Madurangi won the Gold Medal with a throw of 41.38m, while Heshani Maheshika finished second with 40.53m. A.M. Dilrukshi finished third with 39.57m.

Sadini Laveesha won the junior women long jump title with a leap of 5.40m beating Lashani Dissanayak, who also leaped 5.40m. S.K. Diaz won the junior men 110m hurdles clocking 14.53 seconds.

A total of 22 finals are on the cards today on the last day of the competition.

Today’s final includes 200m, 400m hurdles and 800m, where interesting battles are set to unfold. Defending National Champion Kalinga Kumarage and 100m champion Himasha Eashan will be running in the 200m finals, which will also feature Sri Lanka record holder of the event Vinoj Suranjaya de Silva.

100m champion Amasha de Silva and 200m/400m National Champion Nadeesha Ramanayaka both dipped below 25 seconds today during the heats, and the duo are set to run a thrilling final today.

In the 800m, SAG Champion and defending National Champion Dilshi Kumarasinghe is set to take on senior pro Nimali Liyanarachchi once again, setting up an interesting battle.

Women

Pole Vault: 1. Sachini Perera 3.50m, 2. Lakrani Perera 3.30m, 3. Imasha de Silva 3.20m

Discus Throw: 1. Ishara Madurangi 41.78m, 2. Heshani Maheshika 40.53m, 3. A.M. Dilrukshi 39.57m

Junior Women

Long Jump: 1. Sadini Laveesha 5.40m, 2. Lakshani Dissanayaka 5.40m, 3. Dulmi Weerakkody 5.16m

Junior Men

110m Hurdles: 1. S.K. Diaz 14.53 sec, 2. Kavishka Bandara 14.62 sec, 3. Ryan Perera 15.11 sec

Triple Jump: 1. Pasindu Malshan 15.50m, 2. Wishmitha Kumara 15.23m, 3. Gayan Dharshana 14.76m

Men

High Jump: 1. Tharindu Dasun 2.11m, 2. R.I. Udayakumara 2.08m, 3. Inura Kavishan 2.05m

Discus Throw: 1. M.P. Saparamadu 44.69m, 2. D.K. Silva 44.69m, 3. J.T. Bandula 44.35m