16 October 2014 12:55 pm
By Susil Premalal
The 84th John Tarbat Senior Athletic Championships came to a conclusion yesterday with Akila Ravishanka of Seevali MMV, Ratnapura and Sarangi de Silva of Sri Sumangala Balika, Panadura winning top awards following their record breaking performances at the three-day meet.
Ravishanka was the winner of the boys U-18 110m hurdles with an impressive record time of 14.25 seconds on day two and Sarangi cleared a record distance in the girls U-20 long jump to clinch the best male and female athlete awards. Sarangi cleared 6.01 metres, eclipsing the previous record of 5.80 metres.
The previous record for the U-18 boys 110m hurdles stood at 14.45 secs.
A total of 22 records were shattered and one equalled during the three day competition where over 3500 school children representing 410 schools competed.
The championship also saw teenage sprinter Asiri Wijesekara clocking an impressive 22.25 secs in the boys U-16 200m dash to qualify for the World Youth Games to be held next year in Columbia.
Maris Stella college, Negombo won the overall championships for the boys while Walala A Rathnayake Central grabbed the girls title.