Three qualify for IAAF World Youth Championships
Two boys and one girl from Sri Lanka qualified for the IAAF Under 18 World Athletics Championships to be held from July 12 to 16 in Nairobi, Kenya.
The first is R.P.T. Ravishka Indrajith of St. Benedict’s College Kotahena. He qualified by finishing the 400m event with a time of 48.87 secs. The IAAF Qualifying Standard for this event is 49.25 secs.
Navodya Sankalpa of Mahinda College Galle qualified for the 400m hurdles event with a time of 53.73 secs. The IAAF Qualifying Standard this event is 54.75 secs.
The third is Ashmika Herath of Kuliyapitiya Central. Her event was the 2000m Steeplechase. He finished it in 6mts.59.96 secs. The IAAF Qualifying Standard for this event is 7.10.0 secs.
These athletes qualified at the 55th Junior Nationals Athletics Championships held at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, Diyagama. The event was conducted by the Athletics Association of Sri Lanka. This meet also served as a trial for three international athletics events to be held in the future.
They are: The Second Asian Youth Athletics Championships to be held in Thailand on May 20 to 23, The IAAF World Under 18 Championships in Nairobi Kenya from July 12 to 16 and the 6th Commonwealth Youth Games in Bahamas from July 16 to 25.
Out of the three who qualified, only one athlete will represent Sri Lanka at IAAF World Under 18 Athletics Championships in Kenya. The reason being that a day after the championships, the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas are scheduled to commence. The remaining athletes are targeted to be Commonwealth Youth Games.
Since Ashmika Herath has returned good times she has a better chance of going to the IAAF World Under 18 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya.
At the just concluded Junior Nationals 21 New Meet Records were established and two were equalled. This is considered a noteworthy achievement.
BEST ATHLETES GIRLS AND BOYS:
Under 16 Girls – Sadini Kavisha (Vijitha MMV Dickwella). Performance: Long Jump 5.48 mtrs (New Meet Record).
Under 16 Boys – Shemal Malinda Perera (St. Mary’s College Chilaw). Performance: 200 Mtrs. 22.68 secs.
Under 18 Girls – Asmika Herath (Kuliyapitiya MMV). Performance: 2000 Mts. Steeplechase: 6 mts. 59.96 secs. (NMR).
Under 18 Boys – Shehan Kariyawasam (St. Joseph’s College Colombo). Performance: 110 Mtrs. Hurdles. 14.41 secs. (NMR).
Under 20 Girls – Hashini Probhoda Balasuriya (Holy Family Convent Wennappuwa). Performance: Triple Jump 13.21 Mtrs. (NMR).
Under 20 Boys – Nipun Kavinda Caldera (Loyala College Kochchikade). Performance: Long Jump. 7.52 Mtrs. (NMR).
Under 23 Girls – P.G.N. Madushika (SL Air Force). Performance: 400 Mtrs. 55.10 secs. (NMR).
Under 23 Boys – L.G. Dhananjaya (SL Army). Performance: Long Jump: 7.83 Mtrs. (NMR).
Overall Best Athlete (Girls or Boys): Hashini Probhoda Balasuriya (Good Shepherd Convent Wennappuwa). Performance: Triple Jump: 13.20 Mtrs (NMR).