The boys from Lyceum International School, Wattala won their first major title at the All Island Schools Games Athletic Championship held over five days at the Sugathadasa Stadium and concluded on Tuesday. But as usual the girls from Ratnayake Central Walalle retained their girls’ championship title having excelled in athletics for several years now.
Nadun Bandara the hurdler from Royal College and Tharushi Karunaratne the runner from Ratnayake Central were adjudged the best athletes for their outstanding performances
Bandara equalled the national junior record set by Supun Randeniya in a time of 13.64 seconds in the U-20 110 metres hurdles about ten years ago.
Bandara was also adjudged the best runner and the best hurdler in the meet.
Competing in her first year at the under-20 age category Tharushi Karunaratne established three meet records. Her best effort came in the 400 metres race where she recorded 54.22 seconds that paved the way to earn the best athlete award among girls. She also set new records in the 800 metres and the 4x400 metres events apart from winning the 200 metres race.
In all there were 24 new records established during the five day meet. The boys set 14 new records while the girls set 10 new records.