Kumarage, Abeyratne best athletes at Nationals

By Susil Premalal  
International level athletes Kalinga Kumara from Army and Gayanthika Abeyratne of Navy were adjudged best athletes at the 101st National Athletic Championships.  
The meet organised by Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA) was held with the participation of athletes from India and Maldives at the Sugathadasa Stadium.  
Kumarage clocked 45.07 seconds in the men’s 400 metres while Abeyratne returned a time of 2 minutes 02.83 seconds in the 800 metres, to win the award for the best women’s athlete.  

Kumarage was also adjudged the best overall athlete at the meet.  
Two new Sri Lanka records and five meet records were set at the meet.  
No competitor achieved the qualifying mark for the IAAF World Championship 2023 however.  
A significant feat was the 4x400m men’s relay team, 4x400m women and 4x400m Mixed relay team defeating the Indian team.  
Challenge Trophies: 
Best Hurdles Men’s Athlete: G.J.I Lakvijaya (Marcantile) Performance 110m Hurdles 13.32sec. NSLR   
Best Jevalin Throw Men’s Athlete: Kishore Kumar Jena,(India) Performance 84.38 m.   
Best Jumping Men’s Athlete; U.D.Y.W.Kumara (SL Airforce) Performance Long Jump 7.62 m.   
Best Sprint Men’s Athlete: Kalinga Kumarage (SL Army) performance 400m 45.07 sec.   
Best High Jump Men’s Athlete: B.R.I.U. Kumara (SL Army) Performance 2.11 m.   
Best Sprint Women Athlete: Soniya Baishya (India) Performance 400m 53.46 sec.   
Best Middle Distance Women’s Athlete: Gayanthika Aberathna (SL Navy) Performance 800m. 2:02.83 sec.   
Best Long Distance Women’s Athlete: W.M.Herath (SL Army) Performance 5000m16:51.30 min.   
Best Hurdles Women’s Athlete: W.V.L.Sugandi (SL Army) performance 100m Hurdle Performance 13.89 sec.   
Best Women’s Jumping Athlete: Sarangi Silva (Marcantail) performance Long Jump 6.36m   
Best Women’s Throwing Athlete: Nadeesha Lekamge (SL Army) performance Jevaling Throw 58.56 m.   
Best Women’s Middle and Long Distance Athlete: Bai Krishan (India) performance 3000m St.Che. 8:51.34 min.   
Best Women’s Athlete: Gayanthika Aberathna (SL Navy) performance 800m 2:02.83 sec.   
Best Men’s and Overroll Athlete: Kalinga Kumarage (SL Army) performance 400m 45.07 sec.