Triathlon: Udayanga, Dharmapala and Samarasinghe win Pro-Am

In the Elite category for male athletes, K.S. Udayanga, P.H. Raja Dharmapala and S.M.S. Samarasinghe came out on top while in the female category L.K.G.K.K. Dassanayake and P.G.D.A. Gunathilaka emerged winners at the first triathlon of the Pro-Am Tri Series concluded on a high note at the NCC. 

This brought the very first multisport event of this caliber to a close for 2018. 

Comprising three disciplines swimming, cycling and running. 

This event was participated by sportsmen of diverse capabilities and those from all walks of life. 

The series included races categorised under age groups where male and female athletes can compete for categories in Elite – for the pros, age groups of 18-29, 30-39, 40-49 and 50 and above as well as mixed relay teams. 

Athletes involved in the Triathlon were segmented into 600m swim, a 20km cycle ride and a 5km run. 

Shenaal Chandiram, Sudar Suhail and Kisal Hewage emerged winners in the Under 20-29 age roup for males and female athletes of the same age group – Puvini Kahandawala, Charya Dharmadasa and Deepthi Samarajeewa came on top. 

Under the 30-39 age group for male athletes, Greg Enjalbert, Mewan Gunawardena and Asanka Dissanayake performed well and emerged winners while female athletes who also came on top from this age group included Asha De Vos, Theruni Wijewardena and Petra Spencer. 

Athletes who competed under the 40-49 age group and were named winners included male athletes Olivier Estienne, Mahendra Angampodi and Chris McFall and female athlete Sarah Potts. Finally, for the 50 and above age group, male athletes who recorded the best time and were named winners comprised David Hall, Suren Abeysuriya and Johann Peries and female athletes Agnus Safford, Anudini Liyanage and Nadia Ishaq. 

Athletes who recorded the best overall performance at the Tri Series and were eligible to gain free entry to the much anticipated Ironman 70.3 Colombo Triathlon scheduled in February 24, 2019 were Mewan Gunawardena, Shenaal Chandiram, Puvini Kahandawala and Petra Spencer. 

The Tri Series commenced with the Aquathlon on September 30, followed by the Duathlon on October 28 and finally, the Triathlon in November. 

Not only did pros and amateurs take part, but the series also proved an influential platform for differently-abled and visually impaired athletes who also took part in the races. 

The races had no doubt helped highlight the strength of the human spirit and helped many people realize their potential and strengths in the process.