Tharushi, Nirmali improve meet records in 800 metres

All Island Schools Athletics Championships

by Reemus Fernando

Ratnayake Central, Walala prodigy Tharushi Karunaratne and Asian Youth Athletics Championship medallist Nirmali Wickramasinghe smashed meet records as they further boosted girls’ 800 metres as the most promising athletics discipline in the women’s category in Sri Lanka on day four of the All Island Schools Athletics Championships at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Monday.

World Junior Championship participant Karunaratne slashed nearly four seconds from Dilshi Kumarasinghe’s 2017 record (2:12.28 seconds) as she won the Under 20 girls’ 800 metres in a time of 2:08.16 seconds.

It was the third meet record she established during this meet. She erased the 400 metres and 4×400 metres relay records before reaching the 800 metres as the clear favourite. She has also had under her belt the 200 metres title of that age category.

In the Under 18 age category Nirmali Wickramasinghe of Wickramabahu National School, Gampola lived up to her billing as she erased one of the older records in the meet. She returned a time of 2:13.09 seconds to beat the 2003 record (2:13.49 secs) held by Kushani Nelum Kularatne of Elapatha MV.

The day’s fastest performance in the 800 metres was produced by Kavishka Sri Bandara (Elapatha MV) who came almost close to breaking the meet record with a feat of 1:52.67 seconds in the Under 20 boys’ event. He has further cemented his place as the fastest athlete of this discipline in the Junior category this year slashing nearly two seconds off his June performance.

In the Under 18 boys’ category Roshen Fernandopulle of Maris Stella College, Negombo ran two solid laps though he only managed only clock sub two minutes (1:59.87).

Ashmika Keshan Korala of Yoshida International School, Sapugaskanda emerged victorious in the Under 20 boys’ triple jump as he cleared 15.57 metres to create a new meet record. Korala broke the record held by Chamal Kumarasiri (15.52m-2015).

Janith Shenal of Lyceum International, Wattala in action in the Under 18 boys’ discus throw.