MARIS STELLA, MALIYADEVA BV EMERGE CHAMPIONS
Maris Stella College Negombo the defending champions and Maliyadeva Balika Kurunegala emerged champions in the boys’ and girls’ categories at the 43rd Sir John Tarbat Junior Athletics Championships which concluded at the Mahaweli Stadium in Embilipitiya yesterday.
Maris Stella secured 90 points followed by Royal with 86 points and Lyceum International Wattala in third with 76 points while Maliyadeva Balika secured 70 points to pip Ave Maria Convent Negombo who in fact was in the lead on the
The two records in the field events were in the shot putt event which was in the under 14 category by Jani Gayana de Silva of Ave Maria Negombo who hurled a throw of 8.93m to better the record of 8.73m while W.S.M. Fernando of Lyceum International Wattala hurled a throw of 9.55m to eclipse the old record of 8.97m.
first three days by one point and last years champions St. Joseph’s Balika Kegalle came in third place.
The championship conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Athletic Association (SLSAA) and sponsored by Nestle Lan- ka Ltd (Milo) saw the participation of nearly 5000 athletes from 370 schools around the island which included over 35 international schools.
According to an official of the SLSAA the championship was the highest in the participation and the performances of the athletes from the international schools should be commended as they were almost on par with the other schools.
The four day championship saw four new records being established with two each in the track and field events. The two records in the track was in the half marathon which was set by Kausn Akirange (Boys) and H.M.M.K. Seneviratne (Girls).
The two records in the field events were in the shot putt event which was in the under 14 category by Jani Gayana de Silva of Ave Maria Negombo who hurled a throw of 8.93m to better the record of 8.73m while W.S.M. Fernando of Lyceum International Wattala hurled a throw of 9.55m to eclipse the old record of 8.97m.
Meanwhile D.M.Y. Dulanjali of Ambagamuwa MV and K.M.D.P. Wannitileke of Maris Stella Negombo were adjudged the best athletes in the girls’ and boys’ categories respectively.