The 22nd National Youth Games:

Hiruni wins her second gold

by Chinthana WASALA reporting from Nawalapitiya

Ratnapura, Hiruni Disala Weerasekera accounted for her second gold medal at the 22nd edition of the National Youth Sports Festival which continued at the Jayatilleke ground, Nawalapitiya when she cleared a distance of 11.97 meters in the women's under-20 triple jump to set a new record yesterday. She won her other event, the women's under 20 long jump on previous day clearing 5.20 meters.

Another athlete from the Ratnapura District, I. Himansa Karunarathne threw the javelin to a record distance of 37.82 meters in the under 20 women's event.

Tharika Kumudumali won her pet event, the women's over 20 shot putt, when she cleared a record distance of 12.79 meters. Tharika had high hopes in setting a record at this meet after beating the long term national record holder Nadeeka Mutunayake at the recently concluded Defense Services meet.

The meet record for the over 20 women's discus throw was also shattered when Polonnaruwa's Sonali Kumari Weerasekera threw 43.25 meters yesterday morning. M.I.M. Mifran secured the gold medal in the men's under 20 long jump, clearing 6.94 meters, an achievement which erased the previous meet record.

The rain interrupted the games in the evening and the 4 X 400 meters under 20 and over 20 men's and women's relay events were held in pouring rain and the runners had great difficulty in reaching their best performances.

Record breakers so far

Hiruni Disala Weerasekera 11.97 meters - Women's under-20 triple jump I. Himansa Karunarathne 37.82 meters - Women's under-20 Javelin Throw Tharika Kumudumali 12.79 meters - Women's over-20 shot putt M.I.M. Mifran 6.94 meters - Men's under-20 long jump Sonali Kumari Weerasekera 43.25 meters - Women's over-20 discus throw T.S. Wanniarachchi added 13.59 meters - Men's over 20 shot putt Nipuna Nirmal Weerasekera 2.00 meters - Men's under 20 high jump Madushani Siriwardena 1.65 meters - Women's under-20 high jump Sanjuna Sumanaweera 13.97 meters - Men's under-20 shot putt Vadiweshwaran Hariharan 44 meters - Men's under-20 Discuss Throw.