Asian Games medallist Uththara returns to schools competitions

by Reemus Fernando

Asian Games medallist Jayeshi Uththara returned to local schools competitions just a couple of days after returning from China and dominated the Under 20 sprint events on day two of the Athletics Championship of the Western Province Schools Games at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Thursday.

Uththara who won the women’s 4×400 metres relay bronze at the Asian Games won the Under 20 girls’ 400 metres heat in comprehensive ease and also ran the third leg of the heat in the 4×100 metres relay for Holy Cross College Gampaha to advance to the next stage as the favourites.

Incidentally, Jayeshi was the best athlete at the last edition of the Western Province Schools Games Athletics Championships. The official times of her performances were not available as the organisers had not made arrangements for media to obtain details of the heats.

Meanwhile, St. Lawrance’s Convent, Wellawatta athlete Oshini Kodikara and Loyola College, Negombo thrower T.S.S. Tennakoon won back to back titles yesterday.

Kodikara followed up her record breaking feat in the triple jump bagging the title of the Under 18 girls’ long jump with a feat of 5.64 metres. Tennakoon who won the shot put on Wednesday clinched the title in the Under 16 girls’ discus throw with an effort of 29.26 metres.

The day’s grueling 5000 metres events in the Under 20 boys’ and girls’ categories were won by Lyceum International Wattala duo of Angelo Benedict (16:57.5 secs) and Sethmi Kaushika (22:21.4 secs) respectively.

Thareen Sanchith won the Under 20 boys’ javelin title for St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya with a throw of 55.62 metres. Pothupitiya MV athlete Dilki Nehara excelled winning the Under 16 girls’ long jump as she cleared a distance of 5.52 metres.

L.M. Amaraweera of D.S. Senanayake College, Colombo won the Under 14 boys’ high jump event with a height of 1.66 metres.Official results of the events held in the afternoon were not available when this edition went to press.