Hurdler Ayomal Akalanka produced the finest performance of his career when he shattered the 26-year-old national record in the men’s 400 metres hurdles winning the silver medal at the Asian Under-23 Athletics Championships in Ordos, China on Sarurday.

‎The 20-year-old clocked a sensational 49.03 seconds to become the fastest Sri Lankan to run the event. It was in this discipline that Sri Lanka won the first Olympic medal in 1948. Akalanka’s performance erased the long-standing national record of 49.44 seconds set by Harijan Ratnayake in Jakarta in 2000 and confirmed his place as one of Asia’s emerging one-lap hurdlers.

‎The achievement is the latest milestone in a journey that has been built patiently under the guidance of renowned coach Aruna Bandara. As a schoolboy, Akalanka dominated the age-group ranks, rewriting both Sri Lanka Schools and national junior records in the 400 metres hurdles while steadily establishing himself as one of the country’s brightest track and field prospects. He was still in school when he set the target of breaking the national record of Ratnayake.

‎His talent first came to international prominence when he claimed the bronze medal in the boys’ 400 metres hurdles at the Asian Youth Athletics Championships with a then outstanding time of 51.40 seconds. He continued to progress through the junior ranks, representing Sri Lanka at Asian and global age-group competitions while consistently improving his performances.

‎With Saturday’s feat he has all the national level (Youth – 51.10 secs, Junior – 49.90 secs) records under his belt now.

‎At junior level, Akalanka developed a reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s most dependable relay runners as well, contributing to national relay teams in major regional championships. His performances earned him regular selections for Sri Lanka’s youth, junior and senior national squads, reflecting the confidence the selectors placed in his ability to perform on the international stage.

‎The silver medal in Ordos signals the arrival of a new force in Asian athletics. More importantly, the historic national record demonstrates that the years of careful development under Aruna Bandara have transformed a record-breaking Ambagamuwa Central athlete into a genuine senior international contender.

‎With several international competitions lined up Ayomal Akalanka’s breakthrough suggests Sri Lanka has another athlete to pin country’s hopes for medals.

by Reemus Fernando

Sourav Ganguly, Kevin Petersen and Anjum Chopra have become the latest inductees to the ICC Hall of Fame, unveiled at a ceremony in Edinburgh. Their induction takes the total number of ICC Hall of Fame members to 125.

Ganguly, considered one of India’s best captains, played 113 Tests and 311 ODIs. He started his Test career against England in 1996 and made two hundreds in his first two Tests. In all, he scored 7212 runs at an average of 42.17 in Test cricket and 11,363 at 41.02 in ODIs. In white-ball cricket, he formed a prolific opening pair with Sachin Tendulkar. The two opened together 136 times, adding a record 6609 runs with 21 century stands.

Ganguly’s bigger contribution probably was as captain. He took over the side after the 2000 match-fixing saga and made India a formidable side outside India. Under his captaincy, India won the NatWest Series in England in 2002 and were the joint-winners of the Champions Trophy later that year. In 2003, he led the team to the final of the 2003 ODI World Cup, where they lost to Australia. In Test cricket, Ganguly’s side beat Australia 2-1 in the famous 2000-01 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home before drawing 1-1 in Australia in 2003-04.

“To have my name included among cricket’s greatest players will remain one of my most cherished moments,” Ganguly said. “Representing India and playing along with several greats of the game has been a privilege, and to now be recognised in this way is truly special. This game has given me a lot, and I hope to continue to serve the game in the years to come.”

England’s Pietersen played 104 Tests, scoring 8181 runs at 47.28. In his very first Test series, the 2005 Ashes, he played a key role in England winning the urn after 17 years with a stroke-filled 158 at The Oval on the final day of the series. In 2012-13, he was also instrumental in England winning a Test series in India for the first time in 28 years.

Known for his flamboyant strokeplay, including the switch hit, Pietersen also scored 4440 runs in 136 ODIs, and was the Player of the Tournament in England’s 2010 T20 World Cup win.

“It is the highest recognition a cricketer can receive, and I know it will take some time for it to fully sink in,” Pietersen said. “I feel privileged to have played across all three formats of the game, and I look back on my career with immense pride and satisfaction.”

Chopra, a left-hand batter who captained India in all three formats, made her international debut in 1995. She was the first Indian woman to reach 1000 ODI runs and the first to play 100 ODIs. She also made notable contributions for India in the 2000 and 2005 ODI World Cups. Overall, she scored 2856 runs in 127 ODIs.

She played 12 Tests, scoring 548 runs with a best of 98 that came in the 2006 victory over England in Taunton. She also captained India to their overseas Test victory, in South Africa in 2002.

“As a kid growing up in a sporting household, I had heard stories of cricketing greats and momentous achievements,” Chopra said. “A dream to play for India got instilled very early on. I was encouraged to think big by my parents, teachers and coaches who have always been there to support me during tough times.

“I also got the timely support of administrators as I went on to wear the national colours with great pride. This honour – to be recognised amongst the game’s greatest – is an award for all those who have helped shape my career.”

Launched in January 2009 as part of the ICC’s centenary celebrations, the ICC Hall of Fame honours those whose achievements, skill and lasting influence have shaped the game. Players become eligible for induction only five years after their final international appearance.

[Cricinfo]

Emmanuel Wanyonyi made his 1000m debut in sensational style, running 2:11.83* to break the long-standing world record at the Meeting International d’Athlétisme Herculis EBS in Monaco on Friday (10).

With that performance at the Wanda Diamond League meeting, the Olympic and world 800m champion took 0.13 off the world record of 2:11.96 set by his Kenyan compatriot Noah Ngeny in Rieti in 1999.

Wanyonyi followed the pacemakers as the first pacemaker reached 400m on world record pace in 50.95 as planned. The second pacemaker hit 800m in 1:45.11 before Wanyonyi took over and stormed towards the finish line, chased hard by 2022 world 1500m champion Jake Wightman.

Wanyonyi reached the finish in 2:11.83, Wightman followed him in 2:12.77 to move to fifth on the world all-time list and world and Olympic medallist Djamel Sedjati was third in 2:13.94 as the top six all dipped under 2:15.

[World Athletics]