Jumpers in with a chance to create history in Doha

Sri Lanka had a long jumper in country’s first ever team to the Olympics just after gaining independence way back in 1948. But long jumpers and triple jumpers had remained under the shadow of country’s high flying sprinters and middle distance runners when it comes to hogging limelight at regional international events. At the Asian Athletic Championship which is 22 editions old now they are yet to win. But this could be a different edition as long jumpers and triple jumpers eye medals at the 23rd Asian Athletic Championship starting in Doha, Qatar on Sunday.

There are two long jumpers and two triple jumpers in country’s 15 member team and they have all achieved the locally set tough qualifying standards for the biennial event. While Janaka Prasad Wimalasiri and Danushka Sandaruwan compete in the long jump, Vidusha Lakshani and Sreshan Dananjaya will vie for honours in the triple jump.

The performances of jumpers improved during the last few years with the Cuban coach Luis Miranda who has been here since 2012 playing a big part behind the screen. Sri Lanka national record in the long jump improved dramatically and Miranda’s trainees started clearing the eight metres mark more often.

Amila Jayasiri established the national record in the long jump with a jump of 8.15 metres at a local championship in 2016. Wimalasiri who is also coached by Miranda won a bronze at the Asian Indoor Athletic Championship in 2018 and gained a personal best of 8.14 metres at a competition in Colombo later that year. And at the last two selection trials held in February and March Wimalasiri and Danushka Sandaruwan produced impressive performances. Wimalasiri cleared 8.07 metres at the first selection trial held in February. At the final selection trial Sandaruwan cleared 7.95 metres. Both were selected on merit.

Lakshani, who is also trained by Miranda, achieved 13.28 metres and 13.26 metres at the two selection trials to be in the team.

Dhananjaya coached by Chaminda Weerasinghe broke the national record in the triple jump with a feat of 16.71 metres at the first selection trial in February.

These impressive performances by the jumpers have given high hopes. The bronze medal of the men’s long jump went to a performance below eight metres at the last Asian Championship, while the men’s triple jump bronze was won with a jump of 16.45 metres.

The women’s triple jump bronze went to a performance of 13.42 metres at the last edition. On this backdrop country’s four jumpers are likely to take heart from their recent notable performances to create history in Doha.

Reemus Fernando