Four new meet records on day one

Chinthana WASALA reporting from Badulla

Six records were lowered on the first day of the 21st National Youth Games which is now in progress at the Vincent Dias Stadium, in Badulla.

The first record of the meet was produced when W.K.L.A. Nimali (Hambantota) broke the women's 5000m meet record of 21 mins. 24.9 secs. to renew it 18 mins. 28.8 secs while this event showed a top competition as the other three athletes behind her too finished the event in a better time than the previous record held by R. Vigneshvari of Urban Youth.

The other three athletes were A.M. Deepika Rathmali (Badulla -19mins. 25.5 secs), H.A. Damayanthi (Matara - 19mins. 41.1 secs.) and L. I. M. Lawrence (Anuradhapura - 20 mins 35.2 secs) D.H.D. Weerasekera (Rathnapura) who cleared 5.38m in the under-20 women's long jump, Lakshila Maduwanthi (Ratnapura) who cleared 11.85m in the over 20 women's triple jump and D.M. Madushanka Milan (Colombo) who cleared 1.94m in the over 20 men's high jump also established new meet record morning session yesterday.

T. G. M. F. Mohamed Fahim of Matale District increased the previous meet record of 36.44e m to to 37.68m in the under 20 men's discus throw while K. G. T. V. Senaratne who was placed second also had a better distance than the previous record holder and with athrow of 36.74m.

The under-20 women's 800m record too was lowered when R. A. C. Jayamini (Ratnapura) clocked 2 minutes 17.0 seconds to break W.K.L.A. Nimali's record of 2 min. 19.5 secs, set during last year's games.

The Urban Youth defeated Kalutara District in the men's volleyball final 29-27, 25-18 and 25-21 while Galle trounced Trincomalee District 4-2 in the men's soccer final in the evening.

Favourable weather conditions helped the successful completion of yesterday's events while the Vincent Dias Stadium saw a fair amount of crowed attendance. Today is the second day of the meet. Results: 5000m women W. K. L. A. Nimali (Hambantota) 18 mins. 28.8 secs NMR Discus Throw u-20 men: T. G. M. F. Mohomed Fahim (Matale) 37.68m NMR 800m under-20 women: R. A. C. Jayamini (Ratnapura) 2 min 17.0 secs NMR Long jump.

Under 20 women: D. H. D. Weerasekera (Rathnapura) 5.38m NMR Triple jump over.

Under 20 women: Lakshila Maduwanthi (Ratnapura) 11.85m NMR

High jump over 20 men: D.M. Madushanka Milan (Colombo) 1.94m NMR

Shot Putt over 20 men: N.W.P.T. Sangeeth Perera (Gampaha) 12.36m

10000m over 20 men R.M.I.B. Gunaratne (Anuradhapura) 32mins. 55.4secs.

Shot Putt over-20 men: Sangeeth Perera (Gampaha) 12.36m 800m over 20 men: M.G.C. Priyankara (Kandy) 1min. 57.6 secs.

Long Jump over 20 women: Lakshila Maduwanthi (Ratnapura) 5.55m 800m over 20 women: Deepika Rathnamali (Badulla) 2min. 29.9 secs.