The 94th edition of the National athletic championship 2016 concluded on the 10th July 2016 with 4 new national records established at the meet which spanned over three days.
The final day of the meet saw P K A A Maduwanthi of Sri Lanka Air force clinching the national record in the women’s hammer throw event. Maduwanthi achieved this feat by surpassing the previous National record established by S M Amarasinghe of Sri Lanka Army in June with a throw of 44.14M. It was a disappointing outing for Amarasinghe where she only managed 42.64M and had to be satisfied with the Bronze medal with Airwomen a Lakshika winning the Silver medal.
Photos – 94th National Athletics Championship 2016 – Final Day
Airmen Ishara Sadaruwan went into the history books as the first Sri Lankan to clear a height of 5.00M in the pole vault event. Sadaruwan bettered his own national record of 4.91M and was impressive as he showcased good rhythm and technique. Speaking exclusively to ThePapare.com Sadaruwan mentioned “I knew I would be able to better my national record but to clear 5.00M is special and I am very excited about it”. Speaking on his future plans this aspiring athlete mentioned that “with this performance I have managed to clear the qualification standards required for the Asian games next year and my long term target is to get qualified for the 2020 Olympics”. The lack of competition was evident as the Silver medalist A.C Fernando from Sri Lanka Army only managed 4.50M and Sadaruwan was left to battle alone for his record breaking jump.
It was bitter sweet day for Sri Lanka’s ace high jumper Manjula Kumara who won multiple awards winning N.M Vasagam challenge Trophy for the best performance in jumping events, Anthony Abeysinghe challenge trophy for the best high jumper, The Wilton Bartleet memorial trophy as the best Men’s Athlete, and N.Vyravanathan memorial cup for the Best overall individual performance at the meet (Men/Women). However it was a disappointing day for Kumara who was given another life line to achieve the Olympic qualification height of 2.29M having only managed 2.24M while winning the High jump event on the first day could not book a place in the Sri Lankan contingent for Rio 2016 as he only managed 2.25M in his qualification trial at the games.
The Women’s steeple chaser N. Ratnayake from Sri Lanka army was adjudged the best female athlete and was awarded the Colombo Canteen committee challenge cup.
Addressing the presentation ceremony the president of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka (AA) Mr.Sudath Thilakarathne stated that “we are happy that our athletes have put in some gutsy performances to create 04 national records during the meet, I am saddened that there was an issue with the electronic timing system both here at the Mahinda Rajapakse Stadium and also at the Sugathadasa Stadium which has hindered the track athletes achieving their best performance but as the AA the facilities and the stadiums do not come under our purview and we are not in a position to undertake that. We hope that these shortcomings will be addressed by the governing bodies as there is no lack of talent amongst the athletes but the lack of resources is what’s holding us back from reaching the next level in the international arena”.
Listed below are the results of all concluded events at the National Athletic Championships 2016 & winners of the challenge trophies.
Click Here for 94th National Championship 2016 Final Results
1. THE DUNCAN WHITE CHALLENGE CUP
Will be awarded to the Men athlete whose performance is considered the best in the Men’s Hurdles Events at the meet.
S.M. Aravinda Chathuranga, Sri Lanka Army (1012 points) 400 M Hurdles 52.3 Secs
2. THE C.C. DISSANAYAKE CHALLENGE TROPHY
Will be awarded to the Men athlete whose performance is considered the best in the Throwing events at the meet.
R.P.W. Lakshan Dayarathna, Sri Lanka Army (1036 points) Javelin Throw 75.98 M
3. THE N.M. VASAGAM CHALLENGE TROPHY
Will be awarded to the Men athlete whose performance is considered the best in the jumping events at the meet.
W.P. Manjula Kumara, Sri Lanka Air Force (1126 points) High Jump 2.24 M
4. HORLICKS CHALLENGE TROPHY
Presented by Smith Kline Beacham Mackwoods Ltd., Will be awarded to Men athlete whose performance is considered the best in Sprint Events.
R.P.A.D.P. Ruwan Kumara, Sri Lanka Army (1023 points) 400 M 47.2 Secs
5. ANTHONY ABEYSINGHE CHALLENGE TROPHY
Donated by Dr N. Ethirweerasingam will be awarded to the Athlete whose performance is considered the best in the High Jump Events.
W.P. Manjula Kumara, Sri Lanka Air Force (1126 points) High Jump 2.24 M
6.CHANDI KANNANGARA MEMORIAL TROPHY
Presented by the Directors for the Trico Group of companies for best performance Women – Sprints
W.K.L.A. Nimali, Sri Lanka Air Force (1022 points) 400 M 54.6 Secs
7.GRAYLINE GROUP CHALLENGE TROPHY
Presented by Grayline Homes for best performance Women – Middle Distance
W.K.L.A. Nimali, Sri Lanka Air Force (1022 points) 400 M 54.6 Secs
8. HUXLEY’S WINTOGENO CHALLENGE TROPHY
For best performance Women – Long Distance
U.K.N. Rathnayake, Sri Lanka Army (1070 points) 3000 M St. Ch. 10:10.3 Secs
9.GLUCOLIN CHALLENGE TROPHY
Presented by the Glaxo Ceylon Ltd., for best performance Women – Hurdles
E.K. Madushani, Sri Lanka Army (988 points) 400 M Hurdles 1:01.0
10. HNB CHALLENGE TROPHY
Presented by Hatton National Bank for the best performance of Women – Jumps
S.L.S. Silva, Sri Lanka Army (996 points) Long Jump 6.04 M
11.SALONPAS CHALLENGE TROPHY
Presented by Akbar Pharmaceuticals (Pvt) Ltd For best performance Women – Throws
H.L.N.D. Lekamge, Sri Lanka Army(986 points) Javelin Throw 56.06 M
12.GOVERNOR GENERALS CUP
Will be awarded to the Men athlete whose performance is considered the best in the
Middle & Long Distance events at the meet
H.G.M.I.G. Indunil Herath, Sr5i Lanka Army (1015 points) 800 M 1:50.4 Secs
13.THE COLOMBO CANTEEN COMMITTEE CHALLENGE CUP
Will be awarded to the Competitor whose achievements is considered the best in the Women’s Events at the Meet.
U.K.N. Rathnayake, Sri Lanka Army (1070 points) 3000 M St. Ch. 10:10.3 Secs
14.THE WILTON BARTLEET CHALLENGE TROPHY
Will be awarded to the athlete whose performance is considered the best men event at the meet
W.P. Manjula Kumara, Sri Lanka Air Force (1126 points) High Jump 2.24 M
15.SRI LANKA TELECOM CHALLENGE TROPHY & N. VYRAVANATHAN MEMORIAL CHALLENGE CUP
Will be awarded to the Athletic whose performance in any individual event is considered the Best at the Meet (Men & Women)
W.P. Manjula Kumara, Sri Lanka Air Force (1126 points) High Jump 2.24 M
