Malith reaches qualifying standards for Asian Junior Championships 

by Reemus Fernando

Triple jumper Malith Yasiru of Kahawatta Central, Ratnapura cleared a distance of 15.58 metres at the Selection Trial held at Diyagama on Tuesday to become the fifth athlete to reach qualifying standards for the upcoming Asian Junior Athletics Championships.

At the first trial held in March, Yasiru cleared 15.43 metres which was seven centimeters shy of the qualifying standard set by Sri Lanka Athletics. On Tuesday Yasiru went beyond the 15.50 metres mark to seal his place.

Malith Yasiru of Kahawatta Central, Ratnapura competes in the junior boys’ triple jump. (Pix by Kamal Wanniarachchi)

Pehansa repeats qualifying standard performance

High jumper Pehansa Gamage of Dharmapala College, Pannipitiya excelled clearing a height of 1.74 metres. She had already made her mark at the last trial (in March) with a jump of 1.72 metres.

They were the only athletes to better the qualifying standards on Tuesday for the international competition taking place in South Korea in June, while S.H. Dilranga of Ratnayake Central came almost close to achieving standards in the 800 metres when he stopped the clock at 1:53.74 seconds. The Sri Lanka Athletics set standard for the event is 1:53.00 seconds. Dilranga also came close to achieving the standards in the 1,500 metres at the last trial held in March when he finished the event in a time of 3:58.94 seconds (selection standard 3:58.00).

Ratnayake Central runner Thrushi Karunaratne, who stunned seniors with a world-leading (junior) 2:01.39 seconds performance in the 800 metres at the last trial, Holy Cross College, Gampaha athlete Jayeshi Uththara who clocked 54.78 seconds in the 400 metres in March and TOV Ariyawansha of St. Aloysius College, Rathnapura (51.60 seconds in the 400 metres hurdles in March) are the others to have reached qualifying standards.

Sri Lanka Athletics is yet to confirm the selected team for the Asian Junior event.