Records on the cards on day one at Diyagama

Centenary National Athletics Championship

by Reemus Fernando

The centenary National Athletics Championship which serves as the final selection trial for this year’s Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games will commence without much fanfare at Diyagama today.

With Sri Lanka Athletics deciding to scrap earlier plans to bring athletes from the South Asian and other regional countries due to the current situation in the country, the top notch athletes aiming for locally set qualifying standards for the two major international events, will vie against themselves during the three-day event.

There are ten finals scheduled for day one and with athletes aiming to achieve qualifying standards for the two major international events, record breaking performances are expected.

Hurdler Roshan Dhammika Ranatunga who broke Olympian Mahesh Perera’s national record in the men’s 110 metres last year, was not in his best form at last month’s trial. But he is likely to make a strong bid to improve on his own mark to win a place in the team for the Asian Games. His record breaking mark of 13.89 seconds is just 0.41 seconds shy of the qualifying mark.

Kaushalya Perera improved the women’s pole vault national record thrice last year and had an impressive start this year with two record breaking feats during the last two month. The former gymnast is expected to continue her record breaking spree.

The day will commence with the women’s 10,000 metres followed by men’s 5000 metres and the women 1500 metres.

Gayanthika Abeyratne who produced back to back national records in October last year is expected to hog the limelight in the 1,500 metres where her record mark is well within the Asian Games qualifying standard.

Sri Lanka has witnessed impressive performances in the women’s 800 metres during recent times. However, national record holder Dilshi Kumarasinghe will be absent when the event’s preliminary rounds are held today. In her absence young aspirant Tharushi Karunaratne who is a training partner of Kumarasinghe will vie against seniors including Abeyratne.

Men’s long jump preliminaries round will be another event to watch as there are several athletes on the border of the qualifying standards.

Day One (April 8) Finals

Women’s 10,000m at 07.00

Men’s 5,000m at 07.45

Women’s 1,500m at 08.15

Men’s Pole Vault at 08.30

Women’s Hammer Throw at 08.30

Men’s Shot put at 09.15

Women’s Pole Vault at 14.30

Men’s Hammer Throw at 14.30

Women’s 100 m hurdles at 15.00

Men’s 110m hurdles at 15.30