He has what it takes to become a champion– coach Prabath Danushka  

by Reemus Fernando   

Thrower Jayavi Ranhinda Alwis of Royal College, Panadura accomplished a remarkable achievement in the shot put at the Youth Selection Trial held at the Sugathadasa Stadium last week.

The 16-year-old hurled the 5kg implement to a distance of 17.74 metres, the furthest a Sri Lankan athlete of his age has ever thrown the put in history. The massive throw rightly puts him in contention for a place in the country’s team for next year’s Youth Asian Championship which will be held in Kuwait.

His coach Prabath Danushka commenting on his charge’s performance said that Ranhinda has the potential to become a champion athlete and highlighted the need to support him to persevere in athletics.

“He has the potential to become a future champion. He has the stature of a champion athlete in Asia in his age category. What is important is to look after him. Support should be given for his nutrition needs. If someone could come forward to sponsor him for his nutrition needs and other expenses that would be a great help,” Prabath Danushka told The Island.

Incidentally, Danushka is also the coach of the reigning national champion Samith Madusanka who established a National Championship record three weeks ago.

Sri Lanka Athletics conducted the trial as a precursor to next year’s youth selection trial for Asian Youth Championship. The athletes of this age category did not have competitions during the last two years due to the Covid 19 pandemic and Ranhinda took the opportunity with both hands to deliver the best throw of his budding career.

Had all the junior competitions been held this year Ranhinda would have attempted records in each event as all existing meet records of Junior National Championships, All Island Schools Games Championships and the Sir John Tarbet Senior Championships are all below his new mark of 17.74 metres.

When Hartley College Jaffna athlete S. Mithunraj established the All Island Schools Games record in the Under 18 category in 2019 he threw a distance of 15.95 metres. St. Rita’s College, Taldeka athlete Malinda Madushanka cleared a distance of 16.28 metres for his Sir John Tarbet Senior Championship (U18) record in 2014. Madusanka’s Junior National Championship record too was below 17 metres (16.32m in 2014).

 At the last Junior National Championships, no one hurled beyond 15 metres. While the winner Akalanka Wijesuriya threw only a distance of 14.94 metres, S. Mithunraj managed a distance of 14.76 metres for his silver.

With the Asian Youth Championships just months away Ranhinda’s performances are just a solitary metre behind the medal standard of the Asian region. “He has the potential to reach medal standard. We are looking forward to the Selection Trial,” said Prabath Danushka.

At the first edition of the Asian Youth Championship, the shot put bronze medal was won with a feat of 17.76 metres. The bronze medals of the last two editions went to performances of 18.59m (2017 and 2019).

With five of his six attempts at the Youth Selection Trial measured over 17 metres (16.98m, 17.46m, 17.11m, 17.65m, 17.74m, 17.60m) Ranhinda has indicated what could be expected of him in the future. Let us keep our fingers crossed.