By Reemus Fernando

Irrespective of meager returns Sri Lanka Athletics has continued to field teams for international events conducted by World Athletics. This has stood in good stead for athletes to gain competition exposure at the highest level. At the junior level, the experience has provided an extra motivation to remain in this sport. Asian Games medallist Tharushi Karunaratne’s is a case in point. She took part in two World Junior Championships before ending a gold medal drought in track and field sports at the Asian Games.

When the Sri Lanka junior athletics team leave for Lima, Peru for the World Junior Athletics Championship this week, they will not only continue the tradition of representing the country at the highest level  but will also create a piece of history. The 12 member team captained by Ananda College sprinter Merone Wijesinghe is the biggest contingent to a World Junior Championship in the history of the biennial event first held in 1986. The team’s departure remained uncertain until the eleventh hour due to lack of funds. But sanity has prevailed after Sri Lanka Athletics mustered the support of the government authorities to fund the costly journey.

The boys’ 4×100 metres team carry huge expectations as they depart for Lima as the eighth fastest relay team in the world this year in their age category (and the sixth fastest as a nation). Their silver winning time of 39.81 seconds at the Asian Junior Championship in Dubai (in April) is ranked above some of the power houses of athletics in the world. Alongside Merone Wijesinghe, fellow Ananda College sprinter Indusara Vidushan, Leeds International, Matara sprinter Induwara Weeraratne and Kaushan Thamel of De Mazenod College, Kandana became the first Sri Lankan Under 20 quartet to have clocked sub 40 seconds in the 100 metres relay early this year. It will be an uphill task for them to achieve a podium finish. Featuring in the final will be a huge accomplishment for them. Wijesinghe and Weeraratne who shared the first and second places at the Junior National Championship will compete in the 100 metres as well.  Mahinda College, Galle sprinter Ayesh Mihiranga is the other member in the relay team. Mihiranga’s schoolmate Jathya Kirulu will feature in the 400 metres.

Kirulu is the only member from the Asian Junior Championship bronze-winning 4×400 metres team to have earned a place in the team after he clocked 47.28 seconds at the Junior National Championship.

Thamel and Vidushan who both improved the Under 20 200 metres meet record at the Junior National Championship  will be featuring in the 200 metres as well.

Ananda College athlete Lesandu Arthavidu (formerly of D.S. Senanayake College) and Lyceum International athlete Tharusha Mendis will compete in the high jump. Both are in the top ten in their age category in Asia.

Lyceum hurdler Sandun Kosala who has a performance of 14.17 seconds over the 99.0cm hurdle in the 110m hurdles and the Commonwealth Youth Games medalist Ayomal Akalanka of Ambagamuwa Central (400m Hurdles) are the other athletes in the boys’ category. Akalanka is in the top 20 in Asia this year.

Nannapurawa MV, Bibila athlete Madushani Herath who won the triple jump silver medal at the Asian Junior Athletics Championships will feature in both the long jump and the triple jump. She is the only athlete to have reached qualifying standards for two individual events. After Asian Games medalist Tharushi Karunaratne, Herath is the brightest prospect to emerge from the junior category as she has turned tables on experienced campaigners at senior level as well. Currently she is ranked sixth overall in the senior category for her prowess in jumping events.

Lyceum International sprinter Jithma Wijethunga is the other athlete in the girls’ category in the team. She is the only junior athlete to have clocked sub 55 seconds in the girls’ 400 metres this year.

The team is set to depart in three batches for Lima.