Athletics: Sri Lanka finish overall fifth with nine medals at Asian Junior Championship

Sri Lanka finished overall fifth with a tally of nine medals at the Asian Junior Athletics Championship concluded in Gifu, Japan on Sunday (10).

Sri Lanka claimed three gold, four silver and two bronze medals as hosts Japan topped the 13-nation competition with a tally of 14 gold, 15 silver and 13 bronze medals. 

The Sri Lankan junior athletes' recorded what is considered as the best in the athletic history of the country at an international meet. 

Among top achievers for Sri Lanka were Aruna Dharshana, Parami Wasanthi, Amasha de Silva and the Men's 4x400m relay team.

Aruna Dharshana created a new Asian record in the 400m with the timing of 45.79seconds, the best timing by a Sri Lankan athlete since 2006.

Parami Wasanthi of Maris Stella established a new Sri Lanka record in the 3000m Steeplechase clocking 10:21.54 minutes.

The Sri Lanka Men's 4x400m relay team which included Dharshana, Pasindu Kodikara, Ravishka Indrajith clocked 3:08.70minutes to claim the gold medal.