Tharushi pulls out from Asian Relays

by Reemus Fernando

Asian Games gold medallist Tharushi Karunaratne has pulled out from the Asian Relays which is set to take place in Bangkok next week.

She has cited medical reasons for her decision according to sources close to Sri Lanka Athletics.

Tharushi has informed Sri Lanka Athletics of her unavailability hot on the heels of her pulling out from the 800 metres at the Kinami Michitaka Memorial Athletics Meet, a World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze event in Osaka, Japan last Sunday.

Her unavailability is a severe blow to team’s medal  aspirations as she was the key member of both the women’s 4×400 metres and the mixed relay.

The Asian Relays provide a rare opportunity for countries in the Asian region to have a go at the two remaining Olympic berths in each relay event. Sri Lanka Athletics is fielding teams for men’s 4x100m, women’s 4x100m, men’s 4x400m, women’s 4x400m and mixed relay.

The former Ratnayake Central, Walala athlete is the leading contender in the women’s category in the race to earn Olympic qualifying standards but she has already missed two opportunities to earn ranking points in her pet event after failing to impress at two recent international competitions.

She could not finish the 800 metres at her first meet of the season in Dubai early this month before pulling out from her event due to a stomach bug in Osaka last Sunday.

The Asian Games gold medallist needs to earn ranking points in at least two international events if she is to qualify for the Paris Olympics.

Meanwhile, Tharushi’s brother, Harsha who was picked in the team for the Asian Relays too has pulled out from the tour citing medical reasons.