Day 01 Trials; Three National records as Ishara and Anitha vault to new heights, AGAIN!!!

1st day of the 2nd National trial that will finalize the squad for the Asian Athletic championship commenced today (01st) at the Diyagama Mahinda Rajapakse Stadium.

A day which reconfirmed the talent and most importantly the commitment the athletes of the Island have for their respective event. Three national records were broken in the field events today while there was plenty promise shown in the track events where athletes achieved their personal best.

Kapukotuwa re asserts his Shot put dominance

Royalist Charith Kapukotuwa who made a return to the island shores after being away in the USA  due to study and work commitments renewed his own national record in the Men’s Shot put event. Kapukotuwa recorded a distance of 17.55m to clinch the top spot and with it bettering his own national record. Having gained valuable experience participating in several athletic meets in the USA Kapukotowa has developed a self-discipline that assists him in preparing himself for competition and has turned out to be successful as he bettered his previous record of 17.03m (outdoor). Kapukotuwa is  undoubtedly a  Sri Lankan throwing prodigy as he currently also holds the national record for the hammer throw event.  

Record breaking vaulters

In both Men’s and Women’s Pole vault events the current national record holders renewed their records soaring to new heights yet again and have made it a practice to constantly raise the bar (literally ) every time they take the pole to the field.

In the men’s Pole vault Ishara Sandaruwan bettered his own national record of 5.10m achieved at the Jaffna Duraiyappah stadium and cleared a distance of 5.11m. It’s an impressive feat by the South Asian Games (SAG) Gold medalist as he is proof that if there is a will you will get results despite all the obstacles in your way. Previously in Jaffna Sandaruwan had to battle with the strong wind that was blowing across the Durayiappah stadium as well as lack of competition as he took his first jump just 10cm short of the silver medal mark of 4.50m and had to battle his way till 5.10m by himself. Sanduruwan failed his self set target of 5.20m here at the trials. Again it was not ideal conditions for the vaulter as the skies had opened up during his jumps in a barely usable track that gives no assistance to the jumpers. Sandaruwan however will have consolation at the fact that he managed to better the national record and will be working harder on improving his rhythm that is ever so crucial in this unique culture of pole vaulting.

Sandaruwan was not alone reaching new heights as the National record holding vaulting star from Jaffna 20 year old Anitha Jegathiswaran also renewed her own national record in the women’s pole vault with a performance of 3.46m.  It is the third time this impressive youngster has improved her own record after first laying claim to the national record at the junior national meet last year. It’s again a story of commited work from the athlete and her coach C. Subashkaran as they together have worked tremendously hard to achieve success in the event. Anitha first impressed in 2014 as a 17 year old school girl when she equaled then national record and has shown steady progress since and definitely is a huge future prospect as she is merely 20 years of age and will improve with the correct exposure and experience. Anitha will be participating in her debut international representation of the country at the upcoming Thailand open meet and is praise worthy as the budding athlete will be given a much deserved opportunity to perform against a competitive international opposition in conditions that are supportive to her event unlike in grass or the barely functional Diyagama stadium at home.

Fastest 100m dash witnessed on the Island shores

Speedster Vinoj Suranjaya sprinted the fastest time recorded ever on the island shores with a time of 10.30 in the 100m heats and finished the day with a time of 10.32 in the finals. SAG 200m Gold medalist is turning a lot of heads with his impressive performances in the shorter race as his time of 10.30 in the heat is the best time for the 100m dash for a Sri Lankan athlete this season.  Both times by Vinoj are well within the Asian Athletic championship qualification standard and will be interesting to see whether the Athletic Assosiation of Sri Lanka (AASL) will include two athletes from Sri Lanka, with SAG medalist in the 100m Himasha Eshan being the top contender to get the nod for the Championship.

In the women’s 100m dash fellow SAG medalist Rumeshika Ratnayake equaled his personal best time of 11.60secs which won her the podium finish at the SAG and is a welcome return to form for the athlete. Rumeshika achieved her seasonal best at the second leg of the Asian Grand Prix clocking a time of 11.81secs and it is encouraging to note that she has managed to shave off .20 secs despite running on a worn out track in rainy conditions. Ratnayake finished the day with a controlled effort in the final which was timed at 11.74secs and will be eagerly looking forward for next month’s assignment in India.

Full results of Day 01 of 2nd National trials for the Asian Athletic Championship