Athletics: Manjula Kumara emerges Best Athlete for the sixth successive time at 94th Nationals

Sri Lanka record holder and Veteran High Jumper Manjula Kumara Wijesekera of Sri Lanka Air Force won the Best Athlete’s Award and the Best Performance of the Meet Award at the 94th National Athletic Championships at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Sports Complex, Diyagama last week. 

Manjula bagged the Best Athlete’s Award at the meet for the sixth successive occasion. 

Manjula Kumara won the High Jump event clearing 2.24 mtrs where he is in line for 1126 IAAF points. 
The distance required for Manjula Kumara to qualify for the Rio Games was 2.29mtrs, which he missed by a solitary second on the first day of the meet. 

The Best Athlete in the Women’s was U.K. Nilani Ratnayake of Sri Lanka Army who won the 3,000mtrs steeplechase event with a time of 10 :10.3secs where she is entitled for IAAF points 1070. 

A total of four Sri Lanka records were established during the three-day championships which all top Sri Lankan athletes competing. 

Best performances
 
1. The Duncan White Challenge Cup will be awarded to the Men athlete whose performance is considered the best in the Men’s Hurdles Events at the meet. 
S.M. Aravinda Chathuranga, Sri Lanka Army (1012 points) 400 M Hurdles 52.3secs 

2. The C.C. Dissanayake Challenge Trophy will be awarded to the Men athlete whose performance is considered the best in the Throwing events at the meet. 
R.P.W. Lakshan Dayarathna, Sri Lanka Army (1036 points) Javelin Throw 75.98m 

3. The N.M. Vasagam Challenge Trophy will be awarded to the Men athlete whose performance is considered the best in the jumping events at the meet. 
W.P. Manjula Kumara, Sri Lanka Air Force (1126 points) High Jump 2.24m 

4. Horlicks Challenge Trophy presented by Smith Kline Beacham Mackwoods Ltd., Will be awarded to Men athlete whose performance is considered the best in Sprint Events. 
R.P.A.D.P. Ruwan Kumara, Sri Lanka Army (1023 points) 400 M 47.2 Secs 

5. Anthony Abeysinghe Challenge Trophy donated by Dr N. Ethirweerasingam will be awarded to the Athlete whose performance is considered the best in the High Jump Events. 
W.P. Manjula Kumara, Sri Lanka Air Force (1126 points) High Jump 2.24m 

6. Chandi Kannangara Memorial Trophy presented by the Directors for the Trico Group of companies for best performance Women – Sprints 
W.K.L.A. Nimali, Sri Lanka Air Force (1022 points) 400m 54.6secs 

7. Grayline Group Challenge Trophy presented by Grayline Homes for best performance Women – Middle Distance 
W.K.L.A. Nimali, Sri Lanka Air Force (1022 points) 400m 54.6secs 

8. Huxley’s Wintogeno Challenge Trophy for best performance Women – Long Distance 
U.K.N. Rathnayake, Sri Lanka Army (1070 points) 3000m St. Ch. 10:10.3secs 

9. Glucolin Challenge Trophy presented by the Glaxo Ceylon Ltd., for best performance Women – Hurdles 
E.K. Madushani, Sri Lanka Army (988 points) 400m Hurdles 1:01.0 

10. HNB Challenge Trophy presented by Hatton National Bank for the best performance of Women – Jumps 
S.L.S. Silva, Sri Lanka Army (996 points) Long Jump 6.0m 

11. Salonpas Challenge Trophypresented by Akbar Pharmaceuticals (Pvt) Ltd 
For best performance Women – Throws 
H.L.N.D. Lekamge, Sri Lanka Army (986 points) Javelin Throw 56.06 M 

12. Governor Generals Cup will be awarded to the Men athlete whose performance is considered the best in the Middle and Long Distance events at the meet 
H.G.M.I.G. Indunil Herath, Sri Lanka Army (1015 points) 800m 1:50.4secs 

13. The Colombo Canteen Committee Challenge Cup will be awarded to the Competitor whose achievements is considered the best in the Women’s Events at the Meet. 
U.K.N. Rathnayake, Sri Lanka Army (1070 points) 3000m St. Ch. 10:10.3secs 

14. The Wilton Bartleet Challenge Trophy will be awarded to the athlete whose performance is considered the best men event at the meet 
W.P. Manjula Kumara, Sri Lanka Air Force (1126 points) High Jump 2.24m 

15. Sri lanka telecom challenge trophy and N. Vyravanathan memorial challenge cup will be awarded to the Athletic whose performance in any individual event is considered the Best at the Meet (Men and Women) 
W.P. Manjula Kumara, Sri Lanka Air Force (1126 points) High Jump 2.24m