Himasha, Amasha crowned fastest man and woman at 99th Athletic Nationals

By Susil Premalal

Army sprinters Himasha Eshan and Amasha de Silva won the title of the fastest man and woman respectively at the 99th National Athletic Championships. Organised by Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA), the championship served as a final trial for athletes to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Limited to 36 events because of the spike in COVID-19 cases and to be conducted in four stages, the first stage began at the Sugathadasa Stadium with ten events being worked off. The remaining three stages would be held after the travel restrictions are lifted.

The speedy duo stole the limelight with Himasha clocking in 11.45 seconds in the men’s 100 metres while Amasha finished the women’s 100 metres in 11.89 seconds.

Results: 
Women’s 3,000m Steeplechase - Nilani Rathnayake (Army) 9:53.96
Women’s 800m - Nimali Liyanarachchi (Air Force) 2:06.69 
Javelin Throw:
Women’s - Dilhani Lekamge (Army) 52.88m
Men’s - R.P.W.L. Dayaratne (Army) 75.91m
Men’s Long Jump - Janaka Prasad Wimalasiri (Army) 7.80m
100m: 
Women’s - Amasha de Silva (Army) 11.89s
Men’s - Himasha Eshan (Army) 10.45s
400m:
Women’s - Nadeesha Ramanayake (Army) 53.32s
Men’s - Kalinga Kumara (Army) 46.12s