For the first time in the history of sports, an international school has claimed the trophy as overall champions under boys and as overall runners-up in the girls’ categories. Lyceum International School, Wattala became the first ever international school in the district to win this prestigious championship recently in the 90th Sir John Tarbat Senior Athletic Championship 2022, held from September 13 to 16 at Diyagama. The four consecutive days had set a victory target for Lyceum Wattala. The immense success of Lyceum Wattala built up inexorable teams to gain more and more medals in the future.

Along with the courage and determination of athletes, Lyceum Wattala achieved a record for the first time which will be considered the first step in an endless journey in sports. Experienced and wellqualified coaches, trainers, and sports staff boosted the champions to grab the taste of winning. This victory encapsulated the winners under different categories. They are, in the list of age group shields, Under-16 and Under-18, both girls and boys attained the runners-up. In the Under-20 category, the boys attained the overall championship and the girls’ team gained the overall third place.

Further, in the field events, in the girls and boys category, Lyceum Wattala won overall championships while in the track events the girls emerged runners-up while the boys claimed the championship. Adding to the list, under the relay championship, the girls’ team became runnersup. It is noteworthy that Yeshan Kumara, of the Under-20 age category, was recognised as the best long jumper for his feat of 7.46m and by gaining 1021 points overall. Tharusha Mendis, whose stunning record-breaking performance to reach 1.96 metres, made a new record in the Under-16 boys’ high jump. He has broken the record of Isuru de Silva of St. Joseph Vaz College, established in 2002 with a height of 1.95m.

Razwin Careem of Lyceum Panadura was placed first with a new meet record of 7.20m in the Under-18 long jump. He has been selected to represent Sri Lanka at the Youth Asian Athletic Championship which will be held in Kuwait next month. “It is the time to felicitate our champions and coaches who worked hard with the dream of victory. The continuous hard work, cheerful team members, and supportive hands together attained this triumph. This marks the beginning of all future achievements. Our Lyceum community feels great and proud of our champions,” said the school’s spokesperson.