The 85th edition of the Sir John Tarbet Athletic Championship concluded yesterday at the Diyagama Mahinda Rajapakse Stadium setting fourteen new meet records in the three days that it was held.
Highlights from Day One and Day Two
The championship commenced on the 17th of June and only six events were held on the starting day due to increment weather. Out of the six events, there were four new meet records set by the athletes. Day two was much more successful as twelve meet records were established proving the competition to be tight. Yamani Dulanjali from Abamgamuwa Central College, stunned the crowd as she set two new records in both of her events; 200m and 400m hurdles in the under 18 girl’s category.
Day Three
Even though the weather gods did trouble the first couple of days, on day three it was perfect conditions for the sport and the sportsmen and women to perform as they pleased. Two new meet records were set during the day, three which added up to the total made it fourteen records overall.
The first record for the day was set by L.P.G. Dhannjaya of Joseph Vaz College, Wennapuwa as he recorded a distance of 15.57m in the under 20 triple jump event. K.J.K Perera of the same school came in the second place as he recorded a distance of 15.29m. While the colleagues battle it out for the top two spots, Rayan Wickramatraene of Maristella College, Negembo claimed the third place with a distance of 14.39m.
The second record for the day came off from the sprinters of St.Benedict`s College, Colombo as they finished off the under 20 boys 4x400m relay with a timing of 3.22.3min. The second place was claimed by the athletes from St.Mary`s College Kegalle. The lads from Rahula College, Matara topped the list at third place as they clocked a timing of 3.34.4min.
Vishaka Vidyalaya, Colombo won the under 16 girls championship while St. Benedict`s College, Colombo won the boys. Maristella College, Negombo won the under 18 boys championship while Rathanayake Vidyalaya won the girls. Even in the under 20 category the above schools won the championships respectively.
L.P.G. Dhanajaya of Joseph Vaz College was adjudged the best long jumper of the championship while Purnima Guneratene of Leeds International School was judged the best high jumper. Omaya Udyanagani of Walimada Central College claimed the award for the best 400m runner while Vidusha Lakshini of Newsted Balika Vidyala and L.P.G. Dhananjaya of Joseph Vaz College topped as the best athlete female and male respectively.
Maristella College, Negembo acing the championship won the award for the overall champions boys and Rathnavali Balika Vidyala won the girls category.
Neville Rodrigo, Sectary of the School’s Athletic Association sharing his views with ThePapare.com said “Even though rain troubled us a bit, I think it was a successful championship. If the rain had not being a factor there would have been many more records set. Also we will be are making plans to accommodate the best athletes out of the championship to a national pool and give the best training possible – I congratulate the coaches and the winner and would make this an opportunity to thank everyone who supported us”.
