Yupun, Nilani, Gayanthika leave for World Championships

Sprinter Yupun Abeykoon, steeplechaser Nilani Ratnayake and middle-distance runner Gayanthika Abeyratne left for Oregon yesterday to take part in the World Athletics Championships which commences in the US state on Friday.

While veteran coach Sajith Jayalal accompanied his athletes Ratnayake and Abeyratne, Abeykoon left Italy with his coach.

At one stage the three athletes were uncertain about their participation in the biennial event due to delays in obtaining US visas.

Abeykoon, who joined the exclusive sub 10 seconds club in the men’s 100 metres with a stunning 9.96 seconds feat recently, will become the first Sri Lankan sprinter in the 100 metres at the championships since Shehan Ambepitiya featured at the 2009 Berlin Championships.

Gayanthila, who has three Sri Lanka national records against her name will compete in the women’s 800 metres. It is the second time that a Sri Lankan runner competes in the discipline at a World Championship. Nimali Liyanarachchi competed in that discipline at the 2017 London edition.

Nilani Ratnayake who missed the Tokyo Olympics after being the forerunner to grab the participation spot for much of 2021 receives her break in the women’s steeplechase.

It is the first time that a Sri Lankan competes in the challenging energy-sapping event at the World Championships.