All Island Schools Games Athletics Championships
by Reemus Fernando
Thurstan College sprinter Salamuthu Jayathilaka with his personal best and Ratnayake Central, Walala athlete Tharushi Karunaratne with a meet record performance excelled on day two of the All Island Schools Games Athletics Championships at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Saturday.
Asian Youth Athletics Championship medallist Jayathilaka returned his best, clocking 47.74 seconds to win the Under 18 boys’ 400 metres.It was the first time the athlete trained by Asanka Rajakaruna clocked sub 48 seconds in the 400 metres. His silver medal winning feat at the Asian event in Kuwait was 48.56 seconds.
In the Under 20 girls’ 400 metres, Tharushi smashed the meet record with a feat of 54.22 seconds. She broke the record held by Yamani Dulanjalee of Ambagamuwa Central. In the corresponding boys’ event Ananda Sastralaya, Matugama sprinter Isuru Kaushalya remained unchallenged from the start to win in a 47.33 seconds, while Ambagamuwa Central hurdler Dhanuka Dharshana clocked 47.99 seconds to be placed second.