Dilhani finishes 22  

World Athletics Championships

National record holder Dilhani Lekamge finished in the 22nd position in the women’s javelin throw qualifying round on day five of the World Athletics Championships in Budapest yesterday.

Lekamge hurled the javelin to a distance of 55.89 metres in her third attempt during the Group ‘A’ competition where athletes were striving for a distance of 61.50 metres for direct qualification or were vying to be among the best 12 to reach the final.

In her group (A) only five athletes threw beyond the qualifying mark.

In a field of 36 athletes, Lekamge’s throw was ranked 22nd.

In her first two attempts, the athlete trained by Pradeep Nishantha cleared distances of 54.77 metres and 55.0 metres.

Lekamge is the second Sri Lankan women’s thrower to compete in the javelin throw event at a World Championship.

Nadeeka Lakmali was the first Sri Lankan women’s thrower to compete at the World Championships in the javelin. At the 2013 World Championships Lakmali was ranked 12 overall for a throw of 60.39 metres.

Incidentally, the former national record holder, Lakmali is set to retire at the Athletics Championships of the National Sports Festival starting at the Sugathadasa Stadium today.