Army Dilrukshi Sets New Sri Lanka Record

Pole Vaulter Hasitha Dilrukshi of Army's 3rd Women's Corp (3(v) SLAWC) set a new Sri Lanka record vaulting over 3.40m at the women's pole vault final in the 53rd Army Athletics Championship started at Diyagama yesterday.

Dilrukshi, who started her vaulting at 2.70m, vaulted 2.90m, 3.0m and 3.20m in the first attempt while her competitors could only manage to vault 2.50m. Fighting a lone battle to get at the Sri Lanka record Dilrukshi took two attempts to go over 3.20m but then again got back to rhythm clearing 3.31m at first attempt and then going over 3.36m too in the very first attempt registering the record in her name as she eclipsed the previous Sri Lanka record (3.35m) which was set by Anitha Jegatheswaran of Jaffna a week ago, at the same venue. Dilrukshi wasn't yet done by then and went on to clear 3.40m also at first attempt but could not vault over 3.45m.

This was third time that the women's pole vault record was shattered during the year as before Anitha, it was Harshani Dharmarathne from Walala A. Rathnayake CC who shattered the Sri Lanka record in May with 3.34m.

Vidusha pleads for a proper training venue

National record holder of the triple jump, Vidusha Lakshani competing in her second meet for the Army set a new Sri Lanka meet record of 13.41m. Lakshani who sat for the A' levels had only a few days of training after that, prior to the championship, yet she was on top of her game.

Triple Jumper Lakshani who trains under Philip Ranjith on a ground which is similar to a buffalo park in Wennappuwa said a proper training venue could improve her performance drastically. According to Ranjith Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara had visited the venue once and had promised to address the issue immediately but nothing has happened yet.

Meanwhile men’s long jump had some impressive performances as Mohammad Mifran of Electronic and Mechanical engineering regiment (SLEME) set a new meet record leaping his personal best of 7.75m in the final. Mifran trains under YK Kularathne has the style of fast long jumping as he has explosive speed on the run up but little flight after the takeoff. Meanwhile R.J. Rajapaksha of Artillery (SLA) regiment too bettered the previous record with a leap of 7.71m. Mifran lead the competition and when came to the last round where Rajapaksha leapt 7.71m leaving Mifran just a single attempt to go over his mark which he did in style.

Meanwhile Lionel Samarajeewa who was the favourite to take the men's 5000m title was beaten by MS Pushpakumara or Artillery regiment with a time of 14 minutes 44.1 seconds. Samarajeewa finished second. (Courtesy: Ceylon Today)

Army Dilrukshi Establishes New National Pole Vault Record

Hasitha Dilrukshi established a new Sri Lanka record in the women’s pole vault as she cleared 3.40 metres at the Sri Lanka Army Athletics Championship at Diyagama on Friday.

Dilrukshi erased the record established by Jegatheeswaran Aniththa of Mahajana College, Thellipalai. Aniththa cleared 3.35 metres at the recently held John Tarbet Senior Athletics Championships at the same venue. (Courtesy: The Island)