Kumari sets new record in 5000 metres

ATHLETICS: Outstation athletes continued their dominance on the second day of the Sir John Tarbat senior athletic championships conducted by the Schools Athletic Association of Sri Lanka and worked off at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday.

The best effort of the day certainly came from W. N. Kumari of Lankapura MV Polonnaruwa where she established a new record in the girls under 20, 5000 metres final. She returned a superb timing of 18 minutes and 22 seconds while erasing the previous best of 18 minutes and 58 seconds set by C. Irangani of Ratnayake MMV Walalla in 2002.

Athletes from Rathnayake Central College Walalla and Senanayake MMV Madampe dominated the proceedings and also put themselves in contention to win the boys and the girls overall championships.

In fact Rathnayake Central College have already taken an early lead in the overall points tally having collected a total of 64 points in the boys championship. They have built up a clear lead over their closest rivals Ananda College who were placed second with just 43 points followed by St. Joseph's College (42) and St. Benedict's College (41).

In the girls overall championship Senanayake National School are well set to clinch the title as they collected a good 102 points with another splendid performance. Their closest rivals are Rathnayake Central College who were placed second with 83 points. They are followed by Ladies College (47 points) and Sumana Balika MV Ratnapura with 37 points.

The meet sponsored by Mahindra will be concluded today with a total of 44 finals to be worked off commencing at 9.00 a.m.

(C.D)