National record holder and former Sri Lanka captain Chaminda Wijekoon returned to his pet event, 1500m, in the evening but couldn't cross the finishing line in his usual position as Lionel Samarajeewa (SLEME) beat him in the final amidst a huge roar of the crowd on the final day of the Golden Jubilee Army Athletics Championship concluded at the Sugathdasa Stadium yesterday. But soon Wijekoon's agony turned to ecstasy as Samarajeewa was later disqualified for running inside the track.
Samarajeewa and his supporters were clearly not happy with the verdict but they did not appeal against it.
Samarajeewa celebrated the victory as if in the Olympics which showed his eagerness to win in the 1500m after being beaten in the 5000m, his pet event, by Wijekoon. Samarajeewa also won the 10000m earlier in the day clocking 30 minutes 45.98 seconds.
Sachith Maduranga, national record holder in javelin who also set a new meet record of 78.20 metres in the first day of the meet, was adjudged the best athlete of the championship 2013 marking a heroic exit from the field of athletics. Maduranga collect 1061 IAAF points for his performance.
Nilani Ratnayake, the newest 3000m steeple chase champion who clocked 10 minutes 33.27 seconds, was the best female athlete. She set a new meet record in the steeple chase while also winning the 1500m with ease. Ratnayake collected 1016 IAAF points for her performance.
After the eventful 1500m came the most anticipated event of the evening – 100m men's final where B.A. Hasaranga (SLA) was able to beat the national champion and South Asian Games gold medalist Umanga Surendra by clocking 10.67 seconds.
Kalinga Kumarage (SLEME) beat the former national champion and current meet record holder Prasanna Amarasekara in the 400m men's final. Amarasekara who has already retired from all form of athletics came back to track in the 200m final where he finished fourth before returning to his pet event.
While Amarasekara compete in the 3rd track the 4th track was occupied by his 4X400m former team mate Rohitha Pushpakumara who couldn't finish for a medal.
Upamali Rathanakumari completed a sprint double with the 400m gold medal, with ease. She earlier won the 200m in the same manner.
Charith Kapukotuwa (SLEME) completed triple gold medals in the championship as he won the shot put, discus throw and hammer throw events while also setting a new meet record in the discus throw (51.60m). A former Royal College athlete Kapukotuwa, is studying in the USA. He threw his personal best of 51.60m in the discus throw to set the new meet record.
Keshanie Perera, a former Gateway College girl, won the 100m hurdles with ease while M.I. Abeynayake won the men's 110m hurdles.
Sri Lanka Electronic and Mechanical Engineering (SLEME) were adjudged the overall champion while Artillery (SLA) were the runners up. (Courtesy : Ceylon Today)
