Bandara plans for Commonwealth Youth Games medal

Ayomal secures fourth place in Word Youth top list

by Reemus Fernando

Ambagamuwa Central hurdle prodigy Ayomal Akalanka, who won a bronze medal at the just concluded Asian Youth Championships in Uzbekistan has secured fourth place in the World Athletics top list in the Youth category for his massive personal best achieved at the regional event.

The athlete trained by veteran coach Anura Bandara clocked a blistering 51.40 seconds to clinch the bronze medal in the 400 metres hurdles in Uzbekistan on Sunday.

According to World Athletics Youth World top lists published on Monday, Ayomal’s 51.40 is the fourth fastest performance in the world this year in a list where a number of Jamaican, South African and Australian hurdlers are trailing behind him.

What makes Ayomal and his coach Bandara happier is the medal prospects he carries to the upcoming Commonwealth Youth Games.

From the time Ayomal achieved the qualifying standards for the regional event in February, Bandara was planning for things beyond the Asian level.

“Athletes should be going for international competitions to win not to enjoy the trip. Akalanka has the potential to win medals at both the Asian Youth Championships and the Commonwealth Youth Games,” Bandara told The Island in February.

With one of his predictions coming true over the weekend, Bandara is planning for the next challenge ahead.

Ayomal Akalanka is ranked fourth in the World Athletics top list for Under 18 boys’ hurdlers for year 2023.

“We will plan for Commonwealth Youth Games now as he has the potential to win a podium place in Port of Spain,” Bandara told The Island on Monday.

With the current form he is in, the meet record in the Under 18 boys’ 400 metres hurdles at next week’s Junior National Championship is at serious threat.

Sri Lanka Athletics has made the Junior National Championship the final selection trial for the Commonwealth Youth Games. Bandara said that despite the busy schedule his charge will compete at the four-day championships starting on Sunday(7).

“We will not skip the Junior National Championships. The meet is compulsory for those aspiring to qualify for the Commonwealth Youth Games,” he said.

Bandara who is well known for training Sugath Thilakaratne to win medals at Asian Games and beyond has produced a number of hurdlers in recent years. The first Asian Youth Games gold medallist Yamani Dulanjali, who was also from Ambagamuwa was another product of Bandara. She gave up the sport before she reached her peak.

It is incumbent upon authorities to make sure that the likes of Ayomal do not follow in the footsteps of Dulanjali.