Nilani and Gayan Set New Sri Lanka records

August 03rd: Steeple Chase runner Nilani Ratnayaka and Discus thrower Gayan Jayawardane set new Sri Lanka records at the National Athletic Championship 2018, at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Friday.Nilani, who trains under Sajith Jayalal, ran a lone race to break her own record with an impressive time of 9 minutes 46.76 seconds. She renewed her own record of 9 minutes 55. 59 seconds set in February in Indonesia.

Nilani also clocked under 9 minutes 50 seconds which was the standard given by the Athletic Association to finalize her entry to the Asian Games to be held later this month in Indonesia. Jayawardane also renewed his own record of 53.52m set in 2106 with a throw of 56.40m in the discus. In the other events of the day, Aruni Lakshika won the hammer throw with a distance of 46.18 metres beating Ayesha Madhuwanthi who finished second with 46.09 metres.The Men’s 400m semi-finals was the most eye catching event of the day where four athletes, Aruna Darshana, Pasindu Kodikara, Ajith Premakumara and Kalinga Kumarage clocked sub 47 second runs reserving their best for today’s finals.

Results:

3000m Steeple Chase: 1. Nilani Ratnayaka 9:46.76 sec, 2. Parami Wasanthi Marisstella 10:31.16 sec, 3. H.W.N. Kumari 11:07.68 sec
Long Jump: 1. Anjani Pulwansa 6.08m, 2. Harshani Jayakantha 6.04m, 3. C.M. Thilakaratne 5.96m
Discus Throw: 1. U.P. Jayawardane 56.40m, 2. Z.T.M. Aazik 45.21m, 3. D.B. Ratnayaka 43.11m.

Full Results :- https://goo.gl/MSJzGx