Promising Ranhinda smashes 18 year old National Junior record

by Reemus Fernando

On a day highlighted by the return of Asian Games medallists Tharushi Karunaratne and Jayeshi Uththara to top national schools competitions, Royal College, Panadura thrower Jayavi Ranhinda Alwis stole the limelight with a record breaking feat in the Under 20 boys’ shot put at the All Island Schools Games Athletics Championship at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Monday.

Ranhinda concluded his event with a massive throw of 16.64 metres to shatter the national junior record in the boys’ shot put that had remained unshaken since 2005.

Ranhinda erased Oshan Ranjith Perera’s 2005 national junior record of 16.56 metres in his final attempt. When he produced his best he had also improved the meet record four times during the competition.

Five out of his six throws landed beyond the previous meet record mark of 15.43 metres (2022) held by Uvindu Sudharaka of Rahula College, Matara. He also cleared the 16 metres barrier twice. His six throws were measured at 15.46, 15.41, 15.95, 16.42, 15.62 and 16.64 metres.

As expected both Tharushi Karunaratne and Jayeshi Uththara lived up to their billing as they produced impressive performances in their respective heats in the Under 20 girls’ 400 metres to advance to the final as the two fastest athletes.

Asian Games gold medallist Karunaratne clocked 55.87 seconds to win her heat comprehensively. Uththara eased to a 56.90 seconds finish in her heat. Both Ratnayake Central, Walala and Holy Cross College, Gampaha athletes are expected to produce a thrilling climax to the Under 20 400 metres finals today.

Maris Stella College, Negombo commenced the meet bagging the gold and silver in the Under 20 boys’ pole vault as Nimuthu Oshadha Fernando and Hasthika Wickramasekara cleared 4.20 metres and 4.10 metres respectively to deny Northern Province the top two places. Northerners who generally dominate this event settled for the third, fourth and fifth places. They failed to clear the four metres.

St. Lawrence’s Convent, Wellawatta athlete Oshini Kodikara bagged her third title of the year in the Under 18 girls’ triple jump with a feat of 11.82 metres. A field of over 25 athletes competed against wind after the event commenced with a delayed start due to a fault in the take off board. Malisha Manohari of Prajapati Balika, Ambalangoda (11.60m), Harini Adithya Fernando of Good Shepherd Convent, Panadura (11.37m) and Nimadi Nethmini of Viharagala M.V. (11.00m) all cleared the 11 metres mark.

In the Under 14 boys’ high jump K. Pakirjan of Kaluthavalai M M V, Batticaloa cleared 1.69 metres.

The Under 16 girls’ discus throw was won by Mahamaya Girls’ College, Kandy athlete Maheshi Kulasekara who cleared a distance of 31.13 metres. She was the only athlete to clear the 30 metres mark.

In the other finals held on Monday, Dilki Nehara of Pothupitiya Maha Vidyalaya (Under 16 girls’ long jump- 5.54m), M.N.W. Karunarathna of Taxila Central, Horana (Under 20 girls’ shot put- 11.08m) and H.P.D.S. Kumara of Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa (Under 18 boys’ javelin throw 62.74m) were the winners.