The athletes managed to create a new Sri Lankan record and a new junior Sri Lankan record in the National Athletics Trials, for the upcoming Asian Games in China.
Janindu Lakwijaya, representing Mercantile Sports Club, managed to set a new record in the men's 110 m hurdles race, which took place yesterday (20) at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium in Diyagama. Earlier in the year 2021, the record set by Roshan Dhammika at the Sugathadasa track with a timing of 13.89 seconds was broken accordingly.
19-year-old Tarushi Karunaratne of Walala A Rathnayake Vidiyala set a new junior record by taking part in the 800 m senior event with a time of 2:01.39 minutes. It is the second-best time ever recorded by a Sri Lankan athlete in a women's 800 m event, as well as the fastest time ever recorded by an athlete in the same event in a domestic Tournament.
Gayantika Abeyratne of the Sri Lanka Navy, who has held the Sri Lankan record three times, lost to Tharushi. The recording timing of 2:01.20 mins was set by Gyantika at last year's Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Yesterday (20) Gayantika won second place in this event, recording a time of 2:01.54 minutes. This was the fourth best performance ever recorded in the event. Shanika Lakshani finished third in the event. Air force SC’s Nimalee Liyanarachchi, who previously held Sri Lanka's record, suffered an injury during the race.
Nilani Ratnayake recorded the second fastest time of her career as she finished the women's 3000 m steeplechase event in 9:40.65 minutes. This was reported to be the 14th time she has finished the race under the 10-minute mark.
The final of the 200 m women's event was held last morning. Rumeshika Ratnayake won the event. She recorded a time of 23.75 seconds. It is the best time recorded for a 200 m event by a Sri Lankan athlete in the past three years.
Greshan Dhananjaya of the Sri Lanka Army managed to win the first place in the men's long jump event. His best jumps were recorded at 7.90 metres. It is special that it is among the top 10 best in the world recorded in this year's outdoor season.
Aruna Darshan won the men's 200 m event with a timing of 21.12 seconds.
Day 2 Events will continue today (21).