Waruna clears 80 metres for the second time on a warn-out track

Former national javelin record holder Waruna Lakshan threw the javelin beyond the 80 metres mark for the second time within two months as he won the men’s javelin throw with an Asian Athletics Championship qualifying mark at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Diyagama on Friday.

Waruna Lakshan cleared 80.34 metres in his third attempt to take a clear advantage over the two closest rivals, D.S. Ranasinghe (74.70 metres) and his training partner and national record holder Sumeda Ranasinghe (70.37 metres), who settled for the second and third places respectively.

The locally set qualifying mark for the Asian Championship was 78 metres. Lakshan was nearly two metres behind his personal best established at the last selection trial held at the same venue in April. But with his feat above 80 metres he has established himself as one of the leading contenders for a medal at the Asian Championships.In April, the Sri Lanka Army athlete cleared 82.19 metres.

“My aim was to achieve qualifying standards for the World Championships even at the last trial. I will try that at whatever championship I will take part next,” said the 29-year-old.

Incidentally, some of Lakshan’s most memorable achievements have been registered at Asian Championship trials.It was at an Asian Athletics Championship trial some six years ago that Lakshan took under his belt the National record with a feat of 75.41 metres. After a patchy period that followed, Lakshan has once again reached top level.

“Then it was a matter of clearing 75 metres. Things have changed now. We have an Olympian who has thrown beyond the 83 metres mark,” he said.

Lakshan and current National record holder and Olympian Sumeda Ranasinghe are both coached by Pradeep Nishantha.The impressive performance by Lakshan came on a deteriorating track which many analysts criticise as a bane for athletics.

With Lakshan clearing the 80 metres mark twice within the last two months he is a top medal contender for Sri Lanka at the Asian Championships which will be held in India in July.Gold medals at the last two Asian Athletics Championships went to performances below 80 metres mark.(Reemus Fernando /Island) 

Pix by Pradeep Dabarage