Five new meet records on day one
Raveendra Wanigarathne won the Men's 800m final - Pic by Priyantha Wickramaarachchi
Five new meet records were established at the time of going to press on the rain hampered first day of the 36th Mercantile Services Athletic Championship 2019 at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday.
Athletes of various age groups braved the inclement weather to show their prowess on the track and field events.
I.L.I.K. Gunatilleke of MAS Capital established the day’s first new meet record when she cleared a jump of 3.78mts in the Women’s Over 45 Long Jump event.The other four records were established by D.N. Kumudu Priyanka (MAS Capital), Nadeera Liyanage (MAS), K. Anappa of India and A.M.S. Kulasinghe (Smart Shirts).
A total number of 273 events are scheduled to be worked off in this two day event and will be worked off in the age groups of Under 30, 35,40, 45 50 and 55 for novices men and women.
Finals of most of the events will be worked off today as rain took a lot of time yesterday.
Sri Lanka Telecom is the main sponsor of the event.
At the last year’ edition MAS Men and Women swept the board by winning both Overall championships and 31 meet records were established.
Meet records established to day:
I.L.I.K. Gunatilleke (MAS Capital Pvt. Ltd) 3.78mts in the Long Jump Event for Women 45+ event.
D.N. Kumudu Priyanka (MAS Capital Pvt. Ltd) 4.48mts in the Long Jump event for Men 30+ event.
Madeera Liyanage (MAS) 17.6secs in the 110 Hurdles Jump event for Men 30+ event.
K. Anappa (India) 11:19.1mts in the 3000m event for Men 40+ event.
A.M.S. Kulasinghe (Smart Shirts) 10:14.54mts in the 3000m event for Men 50+ event.