Mixed relay team make notable debut  

Sri Lanka’s junior relay quartet comprising of Isuru Kaushalya, Dilshan Bandara, Tharushi Karunaratne and Lakshima Mendis made a remarkable mixed relay debut as they secured a final berth on day one of the World Junior Athletics Championship in Nairobi on Wednesday.

While Lumbini College sprinter Medhani Jayamanne secured a semi-final berth in the women’s 100 metres before being eliminated, the 4x400m mixed relay team created a piece of history as they not only became the first Sri Lankan team to compete in the newest athletics event but also earned credit for securing a rare final berth at a global event. They were placed seventh in the final won by Nigeria. Nigeria clocked three minutes and 19.70 seconds to win the gold closely followed by Poland (3:19.80 secs). India won the bronze in a time of 3:20.60 seconds. Jamaica, South Africa and Italy were the other teams who finish ahead of Sri Lanka (3:26.39 seconds) in the final. This performance of 3;26.39 secs by the juniors will now stand as the country’s national record.

Sri Lanka returned a time of three minutes and 26.62 seconds to finish fifth in the first heat won by the Indian quartet. They were three seconds behind winners in the heat. Of the 11 teams who took part in the heats Sri Lanka had the sixth fastest time.

Relay heats

After Ananda Sastralaya Matugama sprinter Isuru Kaushalya ran the first lap in just over 48 seconds Sri Lanka were in the fifth place but spirited runs by Ratnayake Central runner Tharushi Karunaratne (54.42 secs) and Holy Cross College, Gampaha sprinter Lakshima Mendis (55.12 secs) the team were in the fourth position. Wekada MV, Chilaw sprinter Dilshan Bandara ran the anchor leg in just over 48 seconds to finish behind Poland. India, Czech Republic and Jamaica were placed first second and third in that heat.

Like all other teams, Sri Lanka stick to the man, woman, woman and man combination in the final but going by their individual personal best performances it would be safe to say that the two girls performed to their potential.

Kaushalya who had to compete in the individual 400 metres between the two relays was eliminated in the first round when he clocked 48.02 to be placed seventh in the heat.

In the 100 metres heats Jayamanne clocked 12.01 seconds to qualify for the semi-final. She returned a time of 11.96 seconds in the semi-final but was placed seventh. That semi-final was won by Jamaica’s Tina Clayton who breasted in a time of 11.34 seconds.