Records shattered at 62nd Junior National Athletics Championship

By Susil Premalal

Sri Lanka’s emerging athletics talent delivered outstanding performances at the 62nd Junior National Athletics Championship held at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Sports Complex in Diyagama, with athletes establishing 24 new meet records and one National Junior Record during the four-day competition. The championship featured Boys’ and Girls’ events in the Under-16, Under-18, Under-20 and Under-23 age categories. 

Among the recipients of the prestigious Challenge Trophies, Lakshya Sandali of Royal International School, Kurunegala, was named the Best Athlete in the Girls’ Under-16 category after clocking a new meet record of 14.56 seconds in the 100m hurdles. D.A.S. Shamalka of Gonagala M.V., Bentota, claimed the Boys’ Under-16 award following a remarkable long jump of 7.01 metres.

In the Under-18 division, W.T.M. Wansanayaka of Maliyadeva Balika Vidyalaya won the Girls’ award with a time of 25.08 seconds in the 200 metres, while W.A.K. Oshada of Kularathna Central College, Ratnapura, secured the Boys’ title after setting a new meet record of 13.99 seconds in the 110m hurdles.

Taxila College’s W.D. Kaushalya Perera was adjudged the Best Athlete in the Girls’ Under-20 category with a long jump of 6.06 metres, while M.M.S. Nimasha of Sri Dewananda College earned the Boys’ award after winning the 400m hurdles in 51.74 seconds.

In the Under-23 category, Sri Lanka Army athlete H.R.D.S. Ranasgalla won the Girls’ award with a new meet record leap of 6.28 metres in the long jump. Ayomal Akalanka of Ambagamuwa Central College secured the Boys’ title after producing a new meet record of 49.95 seconds in the 400m hurdles.

The championship, conducted by Sri Lanka Athletics, once again showcased the country’s next generation of track and field stars, with several athletes producing performances of national significance.