by Reemus Fernando
Emerging javelin thrower Themiya Thabrew and young hurdlers H.A.L. Sandali and Sadeesh Denuwan were among the standout performers on the penultimate day of the All-Island Schools Games Athletics Championship at Diyagama on Monday.
In an impressive field event display, World Junior Championships participant Thabrew broke the Under-20 boys’ javelin throw meet record. Representing Lyceum International School, Wattala, he produced a throw of 67.32 metres to improve the record, which had stood for more than two decades, by over four metres.
H.A.L. Sandali of Royal International School, Kurunegala, erased her own meet record in the Under-16 girls’ 100 metres hurdles, clocking 14.60 seconds to secure another memorable achievement.
In another record-breaking performance, Sadeesh Denuwan of Halmillaketiya MV clocked 11.10 seconds to win the Under-14 boys’ 80 metres hurdles. It was the second time he had improved the meet record, having first shattered the previous mark on Sunday.
Gonagala MV’s Sachin Shamalka also produced a record-breaking performance, leaping 7.38 metres to establish a new meet record in the Under-16 boys’ long jump.
Meanwhile, W.G.A.D. Bandara of Mahasen MV, Bakamuna, set a new record in the Under-14 boys’ shot put with a throw of 15.36 metres, surpassing the previous mark held by Mayon Rajasinghe.
