Malik smashes record to overcome disappointment

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St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya sprinter Malik Khan Fernando overcame the agonizing experience he had on the opening day when he ran to a new record on the final day of the All Island Schools Games at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday.

Fernando clocked 10.85 seconds to win the Under-21 boys’ 100 metres dash in a new record time. The sprinter broke Holy Cross College, Kalutara athlete Nayana Prasad Dharmaratne’s (10.89 secs) record established in 2006.

Fernando was disqualified for a foul start in the Under-21 200 metres heats on day one. The starting block drifted back due to poor condition of the synthetic track and he tumbled forcing the officials to disqualify him. His school officials made an appeal but it was not heeded.

Unlike on last Wednesday, he was a happy man yesterday. “I am really happy to have established this record. I could have done well in the 200 metres as well. It was a real disappointment for me,” said Fernando.

The athletes, particularly, the sprinters were allowed to get helpers to hold the starting blocks from drifting at starts yesterday and Fernando made a perfect start to take an unbeatable lead.

He was the only athlete to clock sub 11 seconds in the Under-21 boys’ final. And the Under-21 final was faster than the Under-19 boys’ final led by Kalutara Vidyalaya sprinter Himasha Eshan. Eshan, who was second at the recently held National Championships won the Under-19 100 metres dash with a time of 10.86 seconds.