Meet records galore on second day

A total of 14 records tumbled on the second day of the 88th Sir John Tarbat Senior Athletics Championships continued at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo.

The best effort undoubtedly came from Paramai Wasanthi of Kuliyapitiya Central as she had the unique honour of establishing two new meet records. 

She first won the Girls’ Under-18 Steeplechase event with a new mark of 6:37.9s while erasing the previous record of 7:16.40s set by K. M. J. M. Kanagaratna of Walala Rathnayake CC in 2017. 

Later, she powered her way to win the Girls’ Under-18, 3,000m event with a record breaking performance of 9:58.3s.

She had the satisfaction of improving on the previous record of 10:18.35s held by R. A. C. Jayamini of Sumana Balika MV Ratnapura in 2009.     

Meanwhile, St. Peter’s College Bambalapitiya and Walala A. Rathnayake CC took an early lead in the Boys’ and Girls’ Overall Championship respectively. 

The Peterites ended the day with a tally of 106 points while Rathnayake CC finished with a total of 124 points. 

New meet records on day 2 
(Boys’):
1, P. M. P. L. Kodikara (Maliyadeva) 400m, Under-20 - 52.69s. 

2, S. T. Amarasinghe (Royal Colombo) High Jump, Under-18 - 2.10m.  

3, Royal College, 4X100m, Under-18 - 41.88s.

4, St. Benedict’s, 4X100m, Under-20, 41.79s.
 
5, Rumesh Tharanga (St. Peter’s Bambalapitiya) Discus Throw, Under-16, 61.67m. 

6, Ramesh Malshan (Maris Stella) 200m, Under-18 - 21.92s.
  
7, Lahiru Gurusinghe (Senanayake NC, Madampe) 800m, Under-16 - 1:59.02s.
  
(Girls’): 
1, Paramai Wasanthi (Kuliyapitiya Central) 2,000m Steeplechase, Under-18 - 6:37.9s. 

2, H. A. V. L. K. Hapuarachchi (Sumana Balika Vidyalaya) Javelin Throw, Under-16 - 37.91m.
 
3, Shashikala Deshani (Makandura Central) 
Under-20, 3,000m - 27:58.35s 

4, Paramai Wasanthi (Kuliyapitiya Central) 3,000m, Under-18 - 9:58.3s.

5, Ovini Chandrasekara (Bishop’s College) Shot Put, Under-16, 13.15m.

6, K. G. D. M. S. Kumarasinghe (Walala Rathnayaka CC) 800m, Under-20 - 2:12.67s.

7, Gamini National School, Benthota, 4x100m, Under-18 - 49.74s.

Caption: 
Parami Wasanthi, winner of the 3000m, in action