Ayomal smashes hurdles record to leave schools arena with an enviable record

Hurdler Ayomal Akalanka of Ambagamuwa MMV delivered a truly markable performance on the final day of the All Island Schools Games at Diyagama on Tuesday bringing the curtain down on his memorable schools career as he became the first Sri Lankan in more than two decades to run the 400 metres hurdles under 50 seconds.

- BY REEMUS FERNANDO

Ayomal Akalanka poses with coach Anura Bandara after the athlete clocked sub 50 seconds in the 400 metres hurdles. (Pix by Kamal Wanniarachchi)

(Kamal Wanniarachchi)

The athlete trained by veteran coach Anura Bandara blazed the track with a feat of 49.90 seconds to win the Under 20 boys' 400 metres hurdles in a new national junior record performance.

The 19-year-old thus produced the third fastest performance ever in the discipline as he took a good chunk off his personal best of 50.20 seconds. Akalanka now stands as the all-time third fastest Sri Lankan behind national record holder Harijan Ratnayake and Asoka Jayasundara.