Gateway’s Jansen sprints her way to glory
Sri Lanka’s sprint sensation Shelinda Jansen, who missed the last South Asian Games 2019, recorded a stunning run in the Girls' 100m final to become the fastest female runner while Kavindu Bandara became the fastest male runner on the second day of the 20th Lanka’s International School Athletic Championships (ISAC) worked off at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday.
Gateway College’s Jansen, who won the 200m gold medal on day one, winded up her school career in style winning the 100m dash with a record breaking time of 11.6 seconds, achieving a vast improvement of her own, previous record of 12.08 seconds set last year.
"I am happy to improve my timing. It was a tough run for me after the injury. I had to undergo treatment after was injured at the last South Asian Games trials. Through the fast few month I trained hard, I am hoping to better my performances," said Jansen after her 100m gold medal win.
This marked Jansen’s second gold medal in both sprint finals as she clinched the gold medal after a spirited fight with South Asian Games 4x100m gold medal relay partner Sadeepa Henderson.
"This is my last ISAC, I am proud of my achievements. I established two new meet records. It’s fantastic because I have proven myself at the right time. I won’t be running for another ISAC for my whole life. It’s sad but heartening," the sprinter added.
Sadeepa Henderson, won the silver medal in 11.9 seconds after a hectic battle against Jensen, also shared the cynosure in this year’s three-day championships.
In the boys Under-20, Kavindu Bandara of Lyceum International School, Nugegoda won the gold medal with a New Meet Record. Bandara clocked 10.7 seconds to shatter the previous record of 10.95 set by himself last year. Santhush Weerasinghe, who won the 200m gold medal with a New Meet Record on day one, gave a very good fight to Bandara. But Weerasinghe had to settle with the silver medal in 10.9 seconds.
As at yesterday Lyceum International School, Wattala was still leading the medals table winning 22 golds, while Gateway College Colombo has won 12 gold medals to be in the second spot. Lyceum International School, Panadura are in the third position with six gold medals.
Lyceum International School, Wattala have won 13 silver medals and 15 bronze medals and their tally of 50 medals from the 23 participating schools, makes them the firm favourites to win this year's overall title. Gateway Colombo added 13 silver medals and 14 bronze medals to their a dozen of gold medals to bag 39 medals in total.
The final day of the three-day championships will be worked off today at the Sugathadasa Stadium.