The 88th Ritzbury Sir John Tarbet (Senior) Athletic Championship which was held over three days from the 19th to the 21st of September at the Sugathadasa Stadium concluded with 23 new meet records established.
The oldest and the most prestigious school’s athletic championship in the Island, Ritzbury Sir John Tarbet Athletic Championship is arguably the most looked forward to competition for any school track and field athlete. The long running meet has provided an ideal platform for budding athletes to launch their career in track and field and is regarded as a championship that brings the cream of the country’s schools athletes to compete against each other.
St. Peter’s College Colombo walked away with the Overall Championship in the Boy’s category while Walala A Ratnayake College continued their dominance to yet another year, being crowned the Overall Champions in the Girl’s Category with a huge margin. Here’s a look at a few athletes who stood out due to their head turning performances during the three-day competition.
Parami – Sri Lanka’s latest beacon of hope
Steeple chasing long distancer, Parami Wasanthi Maristella of Kuliyapitiya Central College once again showcased why she is one of the leading young athletes of the country as she won Gold in the Under 18 Girl’s 2000m Steeple Chase and in the Under 18 Girl’s 3000m. On the opening day of the competition, Parami who is currently ranked 3rd in the Word Junior rankings in the 2000m steeple chase, clocked 6mins and 37.9 secs to establish a new meet record in the event and was a mere two seconds behind her personal best time of 6 mins and 35.22 secs. The event was held in the late evening with the light fading and the on-field clock not functional during the race. On the next morning, Parami showed her strength as she returned to the track at 8.00am to compete in the Under 18 Girl’s 3000m despite having run a new meet record time in the 2000m steeple chase the previous day. The youngster yet again got off to a terrific start in the 3000m finals, showing no signs of fatigue from the previous day’s race and finished the race with a new meet record time of 9mins and 58.3secs. It was a remarkable feat by the youngster, especially given the fact that there was no competition for her in the race. This was also the 5th best timing in the 3000m by any Sri Lankan Athlete.
Gold Rush for Hirusha Hashen
It was a Championship to remember for Peterite Hirusha Hashen who ended up with 5 gold medals including a new meet record. Hashen opened his account on the opening day, winning gold in the Under 16 Boy’s Long Jump final with a new meet record which was measured at 7.19m. A promising sprinter apart from being a long jumper, Hashen went on to win Gold in the Under 16 200m final to collect his second Gold medal of the competition clocking 22.70secs. His third gold came in the under 16 4X100m finals where he anchored St. Peter’s to victory in the event. The multi-talented young Peterite went on to become the fastest athlete in the Under 16 age category as he managed to clinch the 100m Gold with a performance of 11.51secs. Hashen collected his 5th Gold when he successfully anchored the Peterite Under 16 relay team to victory in the 4X400m relay.
Incredible Kavindi becomes the fastest Girl in the 400m
15-year-old, Kavindi Sanjana Edirisinghe of President’s College – Nawala, was in sublime form during the three-day competition, winning the Under 16 200m & 400m Gold medals. In the 200m final she cruised to victory with very little competition. However, she made heads turn as she ran a terrific time of 56.88secs in the 400m finals to erase the eleven year previous record of 57.76 which was held by Nayomika Gimhani of Sumana Balika Vidyalaya Ratnapura since 2007. Kavindi’s time of 56.88secs was the fastest time recorded in the Girl’s 400m with the Under 18 winner A.K Thathsarani clocking 57.11sces while the Under 20 winner Sachini Divyanjalee clocked 57.43secs. Kavindi also established two new records in both the 200m and 400m at the Junior National Championship and has showcased terrific promise. She will surely be one to watch out for in the future.
Speedsters from Benthota
Gamini National College Benthota, is not a name that is synonymous with sprinting in the country. But during the final of the Under 18 Girl’s 4X100 final, The quartet from Gamini National College, Benthota raced to victory ahead of the strong Gateway College and Sir John Kothaawala, Kurunegala teams. The lasses from Benthota also managed to establish a new meet record in the event clocking 49.74secs erasing the 15-year-old previous record of 49.96secs which was held by Holy Family Convent, Wennapuwa. It is noteworthy that Gamini National College only entered six athletes to the competition, that too in the Under 18 age category and delivered a special performance in the Girls 4X100 final. The Gamini National College team consisted of Chelsea Melani Bandarage, Geethama Parami Abeyrathne, Keshani Randula, Nipumi Jayasinghe, Sonali Sathsarani and Isuri Piumika who were all included for the 4X100m relay.
 Athletic Championship which was held over three days from the 19th to the 21st of September at the Sugathadasa Stadium concluded with 23 new meet records established.){kind=link}