Amila, Nilani star at 97th National Athletics Championships

By Susil Premalal

Amila Jayasiri of and Nilani Ratnayake both from Army won the Men’s and Women’s Best Athlete Award respectively at the 97th National Athletics Championships which concluded at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday.

Jayasiri accumulated a total of 1,151 IAAF points following his heroics in the Men’s long jump final where he produced a fine effort of 8.06 metres.

Meanwhile, Nilani managed to collect a total of 1,117 IAAF points after she won the Women’s 3,000m steeplechase final with a time of 9:50:74 seconds.

Two new records were established on the third day of the meet by Lakshika Sugandi and Vidusha Lakshani both representing Army.

The former won the Women’s heptathlon with a total of 5,128 points and bettered her own record of 4,911 points set last year in Colombo.

Lakshani also shattered her own record of 13.64m in the Women’s triple jump set in 2017 while producing a splendid effort of 13.66m in the final.

US based athlete Hiruni Wijerathna failed to make it to the IAAF World Championship as she fell below the qualifying standard while competing in the Women’s 10,000m and 5,000m.

Altogether, the Nationals produced a total of three Sri Lanka records, six new meet records and one meet record was equalled.

P. Don Victor, former Secretary Athletic Association and Asian Athletics Association Council Member was the Chief Guest.

Challenge Trophies:

Men’s Best Athlete (hurdles): A. L. A. I. Rathnasena (Air Force).

Men’s Best Athlete (jumps): Amila Jayasiri (Army).

Men’s Best Athlete (throwing): R. M. S. J. Ranasingha (Army).

Men’s Best Athlete (sprint): Aruna Dharshana (Army).

Men’s Best Athlete (high jump): H. T. U. T. Perera (Army).

Women’s Best Athlete (sprint): R. Nadeesha (Army).

Women’s Best Athlete (middle distance): Nilani Ratnayaka (Army).

Women’s Best Athlete (long distance): Hiruni Wijerathne (Lanka Lions).

Women’s Best Athlete (hurdles): E. K. Madhushani (Army).

Women’s Best Athlete (jumps): H. D. V. Lakshani (Army).

Women’s Best Athlete (throws): Nadeeka Lakmali (Army).

Best Men’s Athlete (middle and long distance): Indunil Herath (Army).

Best Athlete of the Meet (Women’s): Nilani Ratnayaka (Army).

Best Athlete of the Meet (Men’s): Amila Jayasiri (Army).

Best Athlete of the Meet (Men’s and Women’s): Amila Jayasiri (Army).