The Ritzbury Sir John Tarbat Senior athletic championship held at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Diyagama saw a favourite athlete being defeated and finished in fourth place.
Pasindu Malshan of St. Joseph’s College Darley Road was the favourite in the boys’ under-20 triple jump event after having returned to local competition having taking part in the World Junior Championship held in Cali.
He could manage to clear a distance of 15.25 metres in his fourth place finish.
Ashmika Koralage of Yoshida Shokanji International School Sapugaskanda won the event. However, he finished first just three centimeters more than KVM Yasiru of Kahawaththa Central who was the runner-up. Both established the new meet record.
The premier athletics event saw thousands of athletes from all corners of the island converge at Diyagama to test their skills. Apart from podium finishes the athletes in the Under-18 age category are also vying to reach qualifying standards for the Asian Youth Athletic Championships.
Deneth Anuhas of Bodagama MV, Thanamalwila was the standout performer in the under-18 category, as he reached the locally set qualifying standard for the Asian Youth Championships. (TBR)