Dharshana and 400 metres sprinters lead year end rankings

By Reemus Fernando

The 400 metres sprinters led by Aruna Dharshana are the highest ranked athletes in the men’s category in Sri Lanka according to the World Athletics year end overall rankings. It is the first time three 400 metres sprinters are leading the year end overall rankings. The number of ranking points gained during the Asian Athletics Championships and the Asian Games have stood in good stead for the likes of Dharshana to dominate the Sri Lankan rankings.

While Dharshana is Sri Lanka’s highest ranked athlete in the men’s category, fellow 400 metres specialists Kalinga Kumarage and Rajitha Rajakaruna are ranked second and third respectively. Triple jumper Shreshan Dananjaya who decamped during a competition in Switzerland is ranked fourth despite not competing since June.

Sprint hurdler Janidu Lakvijaya who renewed record books couple of times during the year and 400 metres hurdler Danuka Dhrshana are in the fifth and sixth positions respectively in the list of the highest ranked athletes.

The US based jumper Dhanushka Sandaruwan who had at least one jump of over eight metres in June is ranked seventh, while Asian Games medallist Pabasara Niku is ranked just below Sandaruwan.

Sprinter Chamod Yodasinghe and Pasindu Kodikara are ranked ninth and tenth.

Incidentally, of the top twelve athletes seven are 400 metres specialists. That is indicative of better days ahead for the discipline which had won the country numerous medals at Asian level since early 70s. These 400 metres specialists also have the age advantage. Except Kalinga Kumarage all others are either 24 years of age or younger.

Sri Lanka Athletics now has a strong talent pool needed to build a formidable team for the future. The year 2024 will offer a valuable opportunity for them to test the teams as Sri Lanka has the potential to field teams at the World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24 in May.

The country enjoyed medal success at Asian level in men’s 4×400 metres relay and the mixed relay after a long time this year. The men’s 4×400 metres relay team inclusive of Aruna Dharshana, Kalinga Kumarage, Rajitha Rajakaruna, Pabasara Niku and (Pasindu Kodikara – heats) established a new championship record to win the Asian Championship gold. They beat mighty India with a 3:01.56 seconds finish in the final. Dharshana and Kumarage formed the mixed relay with Tharushi Karunaratne and Nadeesha Ramanayake to win silver in a new national record (3:15.41 secs) performance. At the Asian Games the men’s team settled for the bronze behind India and Qatar as they clocked 3:02.55 seconds.

The relay events in Bahamas in May will be vital for the team to reach qualifying standards for the Paris Olympics.