by Reemus Fernando   

Ending a decades long medal drought at the Asian Games was the most remarkable accomplishment by the track and field athletes during 2023. From schoolgirl Tharushi Karunaratne’s triumphant entry into track and field folklore to the men’s 4×400 metres team’s record-breaking feat at the Asian Athletics Championships breathed life into otherwise forgotten disciplines in the country’s sporting landscape.

The Ratnayake Central Walala prodigy had already showcased her potentials when she brushed shoulders against the likes of Gayanthika Abeyratne in the 800 metres and Nadeesha Ramanayake in the 400 metres during the previous year. The season opening trial in March was where Karunaratne exhibited her prowess first this year, winning the 800 metres in an Asia leading time of 2:01.39 seconds at Diyagama. It was followed by an impressive 53.41 seconds triumph in the 400 metres.

At the Asian Junior Championships, she bagged three medals including two golds. She was some five seconds clear of the silver medal winner when she sealed the gold in the 800 metres in a 2:05.64 seconds feat at the Yecheon Stadium in Yecheon, South Korea. Then she clinched the silver in the 400 metres while Jayeshi Uththara bagged the bronze. The 4×400 metres mixed relay gold was won in a new national record time when she joined Uththara, Vinod Ariyawansa and Shehan Dilranga. The other medal, a bronze was won by Kahawatta Central athlete Malith Yasiru who cleared 15.82 metres in the triple jump.

The Asian Athletics Championship held in Thailand was a remarkable success as Sri Lanka won eight medals including three golds. Sri Lanka men’s 4×400 metres team inclusive of Aruna Dharshana, Kalinga Kumarage, Pabasara Niku and Rajitha Rajakaruna smashed the meet record to win gold in a time of 3:01.56 seconds. They beat formidable India to the second place and shocked relay enthusiasts earning applauds from even rivals in a World Championship year.

They could not repeat the same feat at the Asian Games and the World Championships but the future looks bright for the relay team as three out of the four medallists are still in their early 20s. The other two gold medals were won by Karunaratne and Nadeesha Ramanayake. Karunaratne won the 800 metres gold in a new championship record time of 2:00.66 seconds, which Ramanayake stopped the clock in the 400 metres in a new personal best of 52.61 seconds. Veteran Gayanthika Abeyratne won bronze medals in the 800 metres and the 1,500 metres.

When Sri Lanka entered the Asian Games this year the country had endured a medal drought in track and field since 2006. Tharushi Karunaratne, the men’s 4×400 metres team, the women’s 4×400 metres team and Dilhani Lekamge combined to win four medals for Sri Lanka. While Karunaratne beat a strong field to win the 800 metres gold, the men’s 4×400 metres team settled for bronze behind India and Qatar. Lekamge threw the javelin to a new national record distance of 61.57 metres to clinch the silver medal. The women’s 4×400 metres team inclusive of Karunaratne, Ramanayake, Uththara and Lakshima Mendis settled for bronze behind Bahrain and India.

While victories at Asian Level were the top performances of the track and field team, triple jumper Shreshan Dhananjaya decamping during a competition in Europe and steeplechaser Nilani Ratnayake’s suspension due to a doping violation were the real low points of an otherwise remarkable year.

The country could not have the services of two leading athletes at Asian level this year. While Italy based sprinter Yupun Abeykoon who had produced a phenomenal sub ten seconds performance in the 100 metres had to withdraw from the team due to an injury, US based high jumper Ushan Thivanka did not make himself available due to reasons best known to him.

With their probable return Sri Lanka can only look forward to better performances during the Olympic year.