Athletes of the Asian junior pool participated in the trial to finalize 4X400m boys and girls relay team at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, Diyagama, yesterday.
In the men’s trial, top two 400m runners Vinura Lakmal from Maris Stella College, Negombo and Kupun Kushan of Nalanda College were rested as they were automatic choices for the relay with their current performance. The trial was to determine third and fourth members of the relay team and it was won by Samith Lakmal of Seevali Central College, Ratnapura followed by Sathira Shanuka of Rahula College, Matara.
Incidentally, Lakmal was included in the team days after the deadline after his appeal, which was forwarded to AASL along with his performance at the recently concluded National Championships.
Kalpa Dananjaya of Trinity College finished third and 200m runner from Nalanda College. Nisal Sachinthana finished fourth running an unfamiliar 400m race.
In the women’s category Asian youth medallist Nirmali Madushika of Kathaluwa Central was rested as she is an automatic choice for the both relay and individual events. The trial was won by Kaushalya Madushani of Kuliyapitiya Central College followed by Dilhani Fernando of the same college. Fernando who did not feature in the 400m at junior nationals is a specialized middle distance runner who won a bronze medal in the Asian Youth Championships. M.O. Udayangi of Welimada Central College finished third followed by Ruwanthi Ferdinandes of Gateway College and Methma Kithmini of Janadhipathy Balika MV, Kotte in the fourth and fifth positions.
The addition of Dilhani Fernando and Samith Lakmal as third members of the both girls’ and boys’ relay teams was the only change in the positions comparing to trial results and the Junior National results.
The junior pool consisting 21 athletes are in residential training at Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, Diyagama, targeting the 16th Asian Junior Athletics Championships to be held from 12 to 15 June at Taipei City, Chinese Taipei.
Boys’ team – Vinura Lakmal (Maris Stella), Kupun Kushan (Nalanda), Samith Lakmal (Seevali Central), Sathira Shanuka (Rahula Matara), Kalpa Dananjaya (Trinity)
Girls’ team – Nirmali Madushika (Kathaluwa Central), Kaushalya Madushani (Kuliyapitiya Central), Dilhani Fernando (Kuliyapitiya Central), M.O. Udayangi (Welimada Central), Ruwanthi Ferdinandes (Gateway College), Methma Kithmini (Janadhipathy Balika MV)
