Priyangika Madumanthi in new high jump record

By Leslie Fernando

ATHLETICS: Priyangika Madumanthi representing Kurunegala District Athletic Association established a new Sri Lanka record in the Girls under-23 high jump event at the 50th Junior National Athletic Championships held at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday.

Madumanthi who holds the high jump record of 1.77 metres went over the bar in great style to clear 1.78 metres to erase off the record. She started clearing 1.24 metres, then 1.76 metres and in the ninth attempt she proved her class to break the record 1.78 metres. In addition to Madumanthi's record, six more new marks were set on the penultimate day of the three day meet.

The other record breakers were - Shehan Ambepitiya of Gateway College in the 200 metres boys under-18 clocking 22.20 secs.

Charith Kapukotuwa of Royal threw the discuss to a distance of 47.45 metres to erase off his own record of 44.85 metres in the boys under-18 discuss thraw.

S. D. W. A. Dikmandugoda of Anuradhapura Central timed 14.65 secs in the under-18 boys 110 metres hurdles for the fourth record.

Sajith Nadeeshan of Maris Stella College accounted for the fifth record in the under-20 boys 110 metres hurdles 14.75 secs.

The sixth record went to Sandeepani Dayananda of Ferguson Girls High School Ratnapura in the under 16 girls 100 metres hurdles 15.34 secs.

Harshani Wijesinghe of St. Joseph's Balika MV, Kegalle was responsible for the other record in the under 18 girls 100 metre hurdles 15.17 secs. The meet will be continued today starting from 8.00 a.m. and 24 events in the boys and girls age categories will be worked off.