Ayomal and Jithma  crowned best athletes

By Susil Premalal

The All-Island School Games Athletic Championship witnessed exceptional talent as upcoming national-level athletes Ayomal Akalanka of Ambagamuwa MMV Ambagamuwa and Jithma Wijethunga of Lyceum International School Wattala were awarded the best boys and girls awards yesterday.

Ayomal impressed in the Under-20 boys 400m hurdles, finishing with an outstanding time of 49.90 seconds, while Jithma dominated the Under-20 girls 400m event with a time of 54.09 seconds. The five-day championship had athletes break 34 new competition records, reflecting the growing standard of school athletics in Sri Lanka.

Maris Stella College Negombo and Lyceum International School Wattala won the championship.

Best Age Group Championship:
Boys’ Under-14: Harish Chandra (Erantha MV Kuruvita) shot put performance 15.05m
Girls’ Under-14: Deumini Santhushi (Ranasingha MV Dunagaha) long jump performance 15.17m
Boys’ Under-16: Wagon Ranasinghe (St Joseph’s College) shot put performance 18.57m
Girls’ Under-16: N.S.S Senarathna (Holy Cross College Gampaha) long jump performance 5.72m
Boys Under-18: Kisal Osada (Kularathna MMV Rathnapura)110m hurtles performance13.83 sec
Girls’ Under-18 Tharushi Abhisheka (Wickramabahu NS Gampola) 800m performance 2:09.90 sec
Boys’ Under-20: Ayomal Akalanka (Ambagamuwa MMV Ambagamuwa) 400m hurdles performance 49.90 sec
Girls’ Under-20 Jitham Wijethunga. (Lyceum International Watthla) 400m performance 54.09 sec

Best Athletes of the Competition:
Throwing Events: H.U.Jayasingha (St. Joseph Vaz College Wennappuwa) under 20 boys’ shot put performance 16.27m
Sprint Events: Omel Sasintha (St. Sebastian’s College Kandana) under-20 200m performance 20.88 sec
Hurdles: Ayomal Akalanka)Ambagamuwa MMV Ambagamuwa) 400m hurdles performance 49.90 sec
Jumping Events: Oshini Kodikara (St. Lawrence’s Convent Colombo) long jump girls performance 6.03m
Best Girls Athlete: Jithma Wijethunga (Lyceum International Wattala) 400m performance 54.09 sec
Best Boys Athlete: Ayomal Akalanka (Ambagamuwa MMV Ambagamuwa ) 400m hurdles performance 49.90 sec
Overall Athletic Champion’s Boys: Maris Stella College Negombo
Overall Athletic Champion’s Girls: Lyceum International School Wattala