Village athletes set more records than their counterparts from Colombo schools at the Ritzbury John Tarbat athletic championships that concluded in Anuradhapura last week.
Among the record holders was Shihara Silva a promising girl under the age of 12 from Good Shepherd Convent in Panadura who set a record in the long jump event.
Also among the record setters was Sewmini Nathali from Ave Maria Convent in Negombo who produced a record in the Under-15 Shot Putt.
Two boys, Dinesh Dilshan from St. Mary’s College Chilaw and TOV Ariyawansa from St. Aloysius College in Ratnapura created records in the javelin throw and 80 metres hurdles respectively in the Under-15 categories.
Naveen Marasinghe from St. Joseph’s College in Colombo set a record in the Under-15 Shot Putt.
Over 17,000 boys and girls contested the meet from all over the island making it the first time that such a large contingent of athletes came together to contest the championship which is the oldest and most prestigious event for schoolboys and girls in Sri Lanka.
The overall championship title was taken away by St. Peter’s College in the boys’ category while Lyceum International School Wattala grabbed the girls’ title. The Peterites also won the boys relay.
The Peterites missed taking the junior overall title as well which went to Sir John Kotalawela MV in Kurunegala while Gateway College took the first prize in the girls’ Under-15 category.
Ave Maria Convent in Negombo took second place.
The Peterite seniors had an overall points aggregate of 84 as they pushed the title holders St. Joseph’s College to second place with 79 points while Royal College finished third with just 44 points.
In the girls’ senior segment Lyceum College had 87 points as Gateway College in Rajagiriya finished with 40 points in second place.
Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya finished third with 30 points.
Ceylon Biscuits Limited has been the sole sponsor of this annual event for the eighth consecutive year.