It was a surprise to see the rowers from Army emerge overall champions at the National Rowing Championships that was held on March 12 and 13 at the Diyawanna rowing centre in Battaramulla.
They emerged the Intermediate men’s champions but the women shared the four gold medals and finished on equal terms and thus a champion’s champion team could not be decided on.
Events for the school children in different age groups could not held due to the covid-19 pandemic. Events were worked out smoothly on calm waters during bright weather conditions.
Now the selectors are busy choosing the best rowers to form a pool who will go into training shortly. They will focus on the Asian Games to be held in two years time and winning the gold medal.
President of the Rowing Association Dimuth Gunawardane said that they have two years to train hard so that they can be good enough to win a medal at the Asian Games.
“Most countries train continuously for many years and excel on the day of the event. This is why they are winners at Games of this level. Now we also will be able to feed the rowers with nutritious food and make them strong and ready for the event in two years time,” said Gunawardane. (TBR)
Results:
Intermediate men (Quad)
1. Army: (AV Dharshana, HM Ratnayake, AS Hettiarachchi 6m 32.12 secs.
2. KDU ‘A’: (Uvein Rajapakse, Venin Rajapaksha, Ashan 6m 36.58 secs.
Women’s Intermediate (Quad)
1. KDU ‘A’ (Navindi Thisari, Natasha Madushani, Sendaru Perera, Thisuri Yahampath. 8m 11.64 secs.
2. Army RIS Samaranayake, BMM Perera, GD Godagampola, THS Wahihenge 8m 21.39 secs.
Men’s Intermediate (doubles)
1. Army ‘B’ (AV Dharshana, EM Dassanayake, 7m 10.96 secs.
2. Army ‘A’ (AS Hettiarachchi, EKS Harshana 7m 20.47 secs.
Women’s Intermediate (scull)
1. CRC ‘A’ (Hashini Hettigoda 8m 56.21,
2. CRC ‘B’ (Panchali Hewamanna 9m 10.02
3. Army (RIS Samaranayake 9m 31.75
Women’s Open (pairs)
1. Army ‘A’ (SK. Weerakoon, SSA Soorasena 8m 02.36.
2. CRC ‘A’ (Ashvini Subasinghe, Anithara Fernando 8m. 08.83.
Women’s Open (double scull)
1. Army (MB Liyanage, PP Weerasinghe 8m. 00.96
2. UDC (Nadani Mendis, Ranmalee Nanayakkara 9m 14.08