The Centenary National Athletics Championship kicked off at the Mahinda Rajapakse Stadium in Diyagama today (8 April). The day’s action was hindered due to heavy rainfall with some major finals being postponed completely.
The centenary event will also count as the third and final selection trial for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 as well as the Asian Games which China will host.
The first day of the 100th National Athletics Championship ended with gloomy skies over the Diyagama skyline. Three major finals that were scheduled to take place today (8 April) had to be pushed to Day 2, including the Women’s Pole Vault event.
Current National Record holder and reigning champ Sachini Perera will have to wait another night before she has another crack at the Record, which would also be her final opportunity to earn her spot in the Commonwealth Games contingent by hitting those qualification marks.
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The three long-distance finals that kicked off the meet this morning were the Women’s 10k, Men’s 5k and the Women’s 1500m finals. South Asian Bronze medalist, Nilanthi Lanka Ariyadasa placed first in the Women’s 10,000m with a timing of 35:01.28min.
Gayanthika Abeyratne making a fabulous run in the Women’s 1500m took home gold clocking 4:12.41min. Abeyratne will be eyeing a seat in both the upcoming international events, as well as the 2022 World Athletic Championship.
The Women’s Hammer Throw event took place just before the rain hit and first place went to Nisansala Rathnasiri with 43.01m. Samitha Fernando took home the Men’s Shot-Put title with a throw of 16.44m.
The heats of the Men’s 110m Hurdles and Women’s 100m Hurdles were contested today, however, the finals also had to be postponed due to unfortunate weather. The 200m and 800m heats were also conducted with the finals taking place on day 2.
>> Click here for Full Results of Day 1
ThePapare.com will be bringing LIVE action from Diyagama on Day 2 and Day 3 of the 100th National Athletic Meet, so keep it logged right here!
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