The oldest and the most prestigious school’s athletic competition in the Island, Ritzbury Sir John Tarbet (Senior) Athletic Championship commenced today (19th), at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
Organized by the Sri Lanka Schools Athletic Association, Ritzbury Chocolates is the sole sponsor of the event. The championship in its 88th year was inaugurated in the year 1930.The opening day of the three day All Island Senior Athletic championship saw three meet records being established.
Peterite Long jumper and sprinter Hirusha Hashen entered the record books in the ‘under 16’ boy’s Long Jump event with a new meet record leap. Measured at 7.19m, he was in a class of his own in the age category. He was leaps and bounds ahead of second placed Josephine Pasindu Malshan, who leapt 6.62m and third placed A. K. Kaushalya, also from St. Peter’s who leapt to 6.54m.
Photo Album – Ritzbury Sir John Tarbet (Senior) 2018 – Day 1
After his heroics in the Long Jump event, one of the youngest members of the Sri Lankan team at the South Asian Junior Athletic Championship, Hashen showcased why he is one of the young athletes to keep an eye on for the future. He made easy work of the ‘Under 16’ Boys 200 meters heats and the semi-final. Hashen had little competition from the rest, as he showed incredible speed to qualify for the finals which will be held tomorrow (20th).
17-year-old Steeple chaser Parami Wasanthi from Maris Stella College, who has risen to the spotlight as one of the leading steeple chasers in the country, laid claim to the meet record in the Girls ‘Under 18’ 2000m steeple chase clocking an impressive time of 6 minutes 37 seconds. Asian Junior Gold medalist Parami delivered a top-draw performance in the final, with zero competition from start to finish. Managing to lap almost all of the contestants, she was unlucky to miss out on bettering her personal best of 6:35, as the digital clock on the track was not operating during the event, which was conducted in low light conditions.
Asian Junior Gold medalist Parami is currently ranked third in the world in the junior category for the event, and will be one of Sri Lanka’s prime medal hopes at the Youth Olympic Games which is scheduled to be held in Argentina in October. The youngster was placed second in the 3000m steeple chase event at the National athletic championship despite just being a teenager of 16 years, and has all the makings of a superstar who can conquer the international arena.
>> Click here to view Day 1 Full Results
The third meet record of the day came in the Girls ‘Under 16’ Javelin final, where L.K. Hapuarachchi of Sumana Balika Vidyalaya, Ratnapura, threw a distance of 37.19m to establish a new meet record. Ovini Chandrasekara of Bishop’s College, Colombo was placed second in the event, while the third place went to S. L. Kumarasiri of Maraka Maha Vidyalaya.
Being the opening day of the competition, the events mostly consisted of first round heats in most of the running events, with a few long distance and field events being worked out today.
Sri Lanka’s #1 Sports Hub, ThePapare.com is bringing you live and exclusive action of the 88 Ritzbury Sir John Tarbet (senior) Athletic Championship to your fingertips with the generous support of Ritzbury. Who have not just funded this event, but are determined to showcase the young talent Sri Lanka possesses, by showing their achievements to the world. Watch the second day action of the 88th Ritzbury Sir John Tarbet (Senior) Athletic Championship by clicking on the link below.
>> Watch Live: Ritzbury Sir John Tarbat 2018 – Day 02
 Athletic Championship commenced today (19th), at the Sugathadasa Stadium. ){kind=link}