By JARROD POTTER
EARNING a pair of state championships is a point of pride for Lyndale Secondary College student Sajith Perera.
Perera, 13, from Endeavour Hills, claimed a highly-prized double at the School Sports Victoria (SSV) Secondary Track and Field Championships last month standing atop the podium for the under 12-13 boys 400m and 90m hurdles.
In the hurdles, Perera battled with the other medalists, but found the necessary last push of power to claim the title in a time of 13.94 – nearly eclipsing the state record set four years ago by Keelan Kolokythas in 13.80.
What’s more astounding is Perera’s personal best to date – 13.20.
“I got the first one in hurdles and the second one in 400m,” Perera said.
“The hurdles (90m) was actually pretty close for me and the second place medallist, but I was too strong on the last two hurdles.
“I ran a 13.94 – I was point-one-four off from the (state) record so I was really pleased with that.
“I broke the regional schools record with a time of 13.20.”
He capped off the stellar meet with a personal best 56.86 in the 400m – storming home by a second and a half over his nearest competitor to make it two wins from two starts.
“I dominated the 400 – I got a time of 56 and it was my personal best – it was pretty easy – I didn’t want to come second,” Perera said.”
Lyndale Secondary College sports coordinator Ryan Rooney said Perera had the potential to become one of the state’s best and encouraged him to join up with an athletic’s club.
“The athletics team maintained a standard of being a small but extremely successful team at the state level,” Rooney said.
“Sajith is an amazing little athlete – last year he was only involved in the relay team for us.
“This year he’s very, very quick and very talented and I hope he gets involved in an athletic’s club as his talent there is unreal.”
Perera wanted to thank the school and especially Mr Rooney for training him for the state meet.
