Sir John Tarbat Senior Athletic Meet Akalanka, Abhisheka and Avishka shine on Day 2

 H. D. S. Avishka won the U-18 Boys’ 800m

By Susil Premalal

Junior national athletic star Ayomal Akalanka of Ambagamuwa Central College, M. G. T. Abhisheka of Wickramabahu National School, Gampola and H. D. S. Avishka of Dhammissara National School, Nattandiya established new meet records on the second day of the 92nd Ritzbury Sir John Tarbat Senior Athletic Championships, which continued at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday.

Akalanka won the Under-20 Boys’ 400m hurdles with a time of 52.14s and bettered the previous record of 52.25s held by K. M. D. Dharshana in 2022.  

M. Roshen of Maris Stella College, Negombo secured second place in this event with a time of 53.04s while S. J. D. Sankapala of Rahula College, Matara took third place with a time of 53.35s. Meanwhile, Abhiseka won the Under-18 Girls’ 800m final with a record time of 2:10.15s and shattered the previous mark of 2:13.26s held by Shanika Lakshani of Holy Cross College, Gampaha in 2019.

U. M. S. Himashani of Ambagamuwa Central College took second place in this event with a time of 2:17.00s while F. H. Muthalif of Princes of Wales College secured third place with a time of 2:18.65s. 

Avishka won the Under-18 Boys’ 800m final with a time of 1:53.66s and bettered the previous record of 1:54.30s held by D. M. H. S. Karunarathna of A. Rathnayaka MMV, Walala in 2017.

G. L. N. D. Liyanage of Weerakeppetipola National School came second in this event with a time of 1:54.91s while Oshanda Jayamanna of St. Benedict’s College secured third place.

Ayomal Akalanka won the U-20 Boys’ 400m hurdles