Sumeda, Tharanga competition the attraction on day one

102nd National Athletics Championship

by Reemus Fernando

Olympian Sumeda Ranasinghe and new national record holder in the men’s javelin Rumesh Tharanga are expected to attract the spotlight in the morning when the 102nd National Athletics Championship commences at Diyagama today.

The Asian Throwing Championship medallists will take the field on day one with one eye on the Olympic qualifying standard. Both throwers are yet to enter the ‘Road to Paris 24’ rankings despite doing well at the continental championship this month.

The former St.Peter’s College thrower has reached new heights with his gold winning performance in Mokpo. In Asia his 85.45 metres throw is second only to Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra’s 88.36 metres effort this year. In the world it is ranked among the best ten performances this year. His new national record feat early this month was however five centimeters short of the Olympic qualifying standard. The Olympic qualifying system is such that you need to achieve either the direct qualifying standard or perform at top level consistently if you are to compete in Paris.

Ranasinghe has not thrown beyond the 80 metres mark in two years. The national record has changed hands and there will not be a better place than the National Championships to return to his best as an Olympic qualifying opportunity is at stake. The five-time national champion has a seasonal best of 77.57 metres from June 15.

The women’s 1,500 metres final, women’s 100 metres heats and men’s and women’s 400 metres heats are the other high stake track events.

The men’s 400 metres heats will be vital for the Asian Games medallists seeking Olympic qualifying opportunities.

In the men’s category Aruna Dharshana and Kalinga Kumarage are ranked 53 and 54 in the ‘Road to Paris 24’ rankings. They need to clock 45.00 seconds or reach the top 48 in the rankings to book the Olympic ticket.