Susantha speaks of Tharushi’s potentials as the youngster book semi-final berth

World Junior Athletics Championships

by Reemus Fernando  

Susantha Fernando, the coach who trained 16-year-old Tharushi Karunaratne to qualify for the World Junior Athletics Championship believes that his young charge has the potential to run the 800 metres in a time just two seconds shy of the national record mark sooner rather than later.

“A lot in the 800 metres depends on how the first 400 metres is run. In a race that suits her pace, she has the potential to run the 800 metres in two minutes and four seconds or there around,” Fernando told The Island after Karunaratne qualified for the women’s 800 metres semi-finals at the World Junior Athletics Championship in Nairobi on Thursday. Fernando was not a part of the touring team.

Ratnayake Central, Walala runner Karunaratne secured a semifinal berth in the women’s 800 metres when she clocked 2:10.70 seconds in the second heat. In a race notable for its slow pace in the first 400 metres, Ethiopia’s Mebriht Mekonen breasted in a time of 2:08.62 seconds to win. In the World Athletics live-coverage Karunaratne was seen finishing fourth but disqualification of Cuba’s Daily Cooper Gaspar saw the Sri Lankan being promoted to third place.

Karunaratne’s race finishing time was ranked 17th among the 29 runners who competed in the four heats. She will be the only Asian competing in today’s two semi-finals. Shanika Lakshani who competed in the first heat was eliminated after finishing in fifth place.

Karunaratne also played a crucial part in Sri Lanka securing a final berth in the 4×400 metres mixed relay on Wednesday. “She was competing in the 800 metres heats after running two all-out 400 metres on Wednesday. Hope that she recovers fast for Friday’s semi-final. On her day she could run closer to the two minutes and four seconds mark,” said Fernando who is also the coach of South Asian Games triple gold medallist Dilshi Kumarasinghe.

Sri Lanka’s national record in the women’s 800 metres (2:02.52 seconds) is written against Dilshi Kumarasinghe’s name. Kumarasinghe created the mark in April this year.

Commenting on Karunaratne’s future potentials Fernando said: “Training is just a part of an athlete’s development plan. There are several other factors that determine the future of an athlete. The education of the athlete, nutrition, social and financial background of the family. All these areas have to be carefully looked after if an athlete is to succeed at senior level.”

Karunaratne who is 16 will be eligible to compete in the next edition of the World Junior Championships as well. Karunaratne emerged as a future prospect in 2019 when she won a number of junior age category events with new record marks.