Ritzbury Sir John Tarbet Junior School Athletic Championship 2017 reaches thrilling close

The much-awaited all-island finals of the Sir John Tarbet Junior School Athletic Championship 2017 was held from 8-10 November at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Grounds, Diyagama and came to an exciting close with Janadhipathi Balika Vidyalaya, Nawala emerging as the girls’ overall champions while the boys’ overall champions were St. Joseph’s College Colombo.

The girls’ runners-up were Sumana Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Ratnapura while Rahula College, Matara became the boys’ runners-up. The Best Athlete of the Year – Girls was S.H. Sadini Kavisha from Vijitha Madya Maha Vidyalaya, Dickwella and the Best Athlete of the Year – Boys was W.H.H.M. Abesekara from Siddhartha Maha Vidyalaya, Balapitiya. 

The championship was sponsored by the premier chocolate brand of Ceylon Biscuits Ltd. (CBL), Ritzbury, Sri Lanka’s No. 1 chocolate, for the fifth consecutive year.  

This year the championship attracted a high of more than 7,000 participants from 200 schools and athletes who successfully participated in the three preliminary championships held in Polonnaruwa, Hanwella and Nawalapitiya hailed from all the country’s provinces. Ritzbury has earned a fine reputation as a strong supporter of several sports in Sri Lanka, in addition to its focus on the Sir John Tarbet Senior and Junior School Athletic Championships.  

Overall Champions – Girls: Janadhipathi Balika Vidyalaya, Nawala

Runners-up – Girls: Sumana Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Ratnapura 

Overall Champions – Boys: St. Joseph’s College, Colombo

Runners-up – Boys: Rahula College, Matara

The Best Athlete of the Year – Girls was S.H. Sadini Kavisha from Vijitha Madya Maha Vidyalaya, Dickwella 

The Best Athlete of the Year – Boys: W.H.H.M. Abesekara from Siddhartha Maha Vidyalaya, Balapitiya