Tharushi tops Asian Rankings, Gayanthika SL number one

by Reemus Fernando

Tharushi Karunaratne’s historic achievement at the Asian Games has powered her to the top of the Asian Rankings in the 800 metres. The teenager trained by Susantha Fernando has secured the top spot in the Asian Rankings according to the latest rankings published by World Athletics.

Ratnayake Central, Walala prodigy was the fastest in the two-lap race in the Asian region from the time she earned qualifying standards for the three Asian events early this year. But she was trailing behind her senior Sri Lankan counterpart Gayanthika Abeyratne and few regional rivals before the Asian Games as she had not taken part in top grade competitions.

Before the Asian Games, Karunaratne was ranked fifth behind K.M. Chanda (1. India), Gayanthika Abeyratne (2nd), and Japan’s Ayano Shiomi and Airi Ikezaki.

The 18-year-old now has 1186 points against her name. She is six points clear of her Indian rival K.M. Chanda who was placed second at the Asian Championships in July. Gayanthika Abeyratne who was placed third at the Asian Championships but missed the podium at the Asian Games held in Hangzhou is the third ranked Asian in the 800 metres.

It is a massive achievement for a country which has only three athletes who have gained more than 1000 ranking points this year. Sri Lanka have less than a dozen athletes who have run the distance under 2:15.00 seconds this year. While India have at least 23 athletes who have run the distance below that mark (according to World Athletics statistics) this year, some 44 Chinese athletes have produced sub 2:15 in the discipline this year. Japan has a staggering number of 175 athletes who have produced sub 2:15 seconds this year.

Both Susantha Fernando and Gayanthika’s coach Sajith Jayalal should be credited for their massive accomplishment as they have taught their charges the art of competing against their own personal best performances at local championships sans competition.

In the junior category, Karunaratne’s 2:00.66 seconds is the fifth fastest time in the world this year.

Meanwhile, Gayanthika is the overall highest ranked Sri Lankan according to the World Athletics rankings as her performances in both the 800 metres and the 1500 metres have earned her 1200 ranking points.

In the men’s overall category, 400 metres specialist Aruna Dharshana is the top ranked Sri Lankan. The Asian Games medallist is ranked sixth in the Asian region in the 400 metres.