Nilani and Sarangi to get final qualifying opportunity for World Championships  

Steeplechase and Long Jump Challenge Competition on Sunday

by Reemus Fernando  

Steeplechase national record holder Nilani Ratnayake and leading long jumpers will have a final opportunity to improve their rankings in a bid to qualify for the World Championships when they take part in the Steeplechase and Long Jump Challenge Competition to be held in Diyagama on Sunday.

Ratnayake who commenced the season with a world-leading time of 9:47.47 seconds in February had only the centenary National Championships to fight for her bid to improve rankings for the World Championships. At the National Championships, Ratnayake shattered her own national record clocking 9:40.24 seconds to finish the 3,000 metres steeplechase.

At both events, she had only herself to fight against as her coach Sajith Jayalal kept on reminding the lap pace that she had to maintain from the sidelines. At the start of the season, she was in the 33rd position in the World Athletics’ ‘Road to Oregon’ World Championship rankings. But as of yesterday lack of quality competitions has relegated her to the 37th position.

The Steeplechase and Long Jump Challenge Competition has come at a time when Nilani needs it the most. With the qualification period fast approaching its deadline Nilani is in danger of being further relegated due to lack of competitions. The hastily arranged competition will now offer Nilani a golden opportunity.

Long jumper Sarangi Silva who received competition opportunities in Europe recently will also have another opportunity to improve her rankings on Sunday. Currently she is ranked 32nd in the ‘Road to Oregon’ World Championship rankings. With only the top 32 positions in that list being eligible to compete in Oregon, Sarangi too is in the danger zone.

Although Sri Lanka Athletics has arranged the competition for both men’s and women’s competitors none of the male competitors taking part in the championship are close to qualifying standards.

Currently, Italy-based sprinter Yupun Abeykoon is the highest-ranked Sri Lankan in the ‘Road to Oregon’ World Championship rankings. He is ranked 41st on the list and is set to improve further as he was scheduled to compete in a Diamond League championship in Oslo yesterday.

Meanwhile, 800 metres runner Gayanthika Abeyratne was in the 45th position in the discipline in which only the top 48 become eligible.