Akalanka sets 400m hurdles junior national record

By Susil Premalal

Upcoming young sprinter Ayomal Akalanka of the Central Province set a new junior national Under-20 record in the Men’s 400m hurdles on the second day of the 48th National Sports Games (NSG) Athletic Championships, which continued at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday.

The junior national record holder clocked 51.26s and bettered the previous record of 51.41s set by Dhanuka Dharshana of Ambagamuwa Central College in 2022.

Akalanka has already qualified to participate in the 2024 World Junior Under-20 Athletic Championships from August 27 to 31 in Lima Peru. 

Meanwhile, Kalinga Kumarage of the Western Province (Men’s 200m) and A. Puvitharan of the Northern Province (Men’s pole vault) also established new meet records. 

New Meet Records on Day Two: 

A. Puvitharan (Northern Province) – Men’s pole vault - 5.11m (previous record 5.10m - 2016). Kalinga Kumarage (Western Province) – Men’s 200m - 20.71s (previous record 21.02s - 2015). Ayomal Akalanka (Central Province) – Men’s 400m hurdle - 51.26s - (junior national record 51.41s).

Gold Medallists: K. A. D. Kaushalya (Central Province) Women’s 400m hurdle 1:00.98s. Nimali Liyanarachchi (Southern Province) – Women’s 800m - 2:04.71s. G. R. Chathuranga (Southern Province) – Men’s 800m - 1:50.51s. Rumesh Tharanga (Western Province) Men’s javelin throw - 77.21m. Ovini Chandrasekara (Western Province) – Women’s shot put 12.18m. P. A. G. I. P. Wimalasiri (Central Province) – Men’s long jump - 7.60m. H. M. A. S. Bandara (Central Province) Men’s hammer throw - 47.50m. Madushani Herath (Uva Province) – Women’s long jump - 6.02m. W. D. M. M. S. Dissanayaka (Northern Province) Men’s discus throw - 45.59m.