Sri Lanka’s shot put national champion Charith Kapukotuwa was able to renew the shot put national record for the third time as he threw 17.43 at the Chadron State Twilight Championship in the USA metres last Friday.
This is the third time Kaukotuwa renewed the national record where his own record stood at 16.83m last time.
“I have renewed the record thrice so far, but there is more to come because this is just the beginning of the track season here in US,” said a jubilant Kapukotuwa after the record.
Kapukotuwa is studying and training in the USA where he is targeting the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“I think I’m going stay in the US for a few more years because it is easier for me to stay here and practice for the 2016 Olympics,” added Kapukotuwa.
Success in the throwing event is fading away gradually in Sri Lanka where none of the shot put athletes were able to get close to Kapukotuwa’s record in the recent past.
“I think we need more resources, better facilities like tracks, throwing circles, gymnasiums, etc,” said Kapukotuwa describing the difference between his training standard in US and Sri Lanka.
Kapukotuwa was last seen in action at the Army athletic championship last year in Sri Lanka where he renewed a couple of his own Army records indicating that he was in good touch before this record breaking performance in the curtain raiser of the USA athletics season.
