How coach Chaminda Perera sees sprinter Himasha Eshan
Sri Lanka returned triumphantly from the South Asian Games, recording the best medals tally ever at the event’s history. Notable among the medalist was sprinter Himasha Eshan, who broke the Sri Lanka record in the 100metres that stood for 17 years. In the process he also shattered the SAG record. Himasha Eshan was coached by Chaminda Perera who also coached the winner of the 200metres gold medal Vinoth Suranjaya. Both Eshan and Suranjaya were also part of the 4x100metre relay team that won the gold. The Sunday Times met up with Chaminda Perera to talk about the future of the fastest man in South Asia, who apparently recorded second fastest timing in 100metres in Asia this year.
Himasha Eshan, on right, with his partners after winning the 4x100m gold medal at the SAG in India
Do you think Sri Lanka has an athlete who can be thought of as a prospect to represent the country at the Olympics at a future date?
es, Himash Eshan is 20-years-old and his timing in the 100 metres makes him a good prospect for 2020 Olympics. He could reach the required 10.1 seconds timing. He clocked 10.26 at the SAG 100metre heats but the time was not accepted as the record timing due to technical issues. We should also remember that the National Record was broken after 17 years and is an achievement for the athlete who is twenty years.
While we wait and plan for 2020 what could happen in between?
If Himasha is sent for competitions in Europe, where he can compete against those who attain 10.0 seconds or less, there is a possibility of him getting the required time and be considered a worthwhile nomination for 2016 Rio Olympics. This has to be before May 2016 and a worthwhile try as Himasha has age in front and the experience will help him towards 2020.
Could you tell something more about Himasha?
Himasha was a student at Kalutara Vidyalaya and caught my eye when he was 13-years-old. I coached him but he did not win any competitions for three years though he took part. At 17 he blossomed and won the 100metres at a National event. From there he has been winning the event. However he had an unfortunate experience which kept him out of competition for some time. Himasha was able to convert the ban he faced to a learning experience and has once again proved that he is a talented athlete.
What are your immediate plans?
As I said before I hope to convince the authorities of the need to send him to Europe to better his timing and see whether he can be nominated for the 2016 Olympics. The next would be to work to win the Gold at the Asian Games in 2018 and then look at the Olympics 2020. In both cases we need to work to beat the 10.1seconds barrier and that can be done through training exposure and more competition.
Is there anything that you would have liked to happen in the short term?
I would have liked to see him being nominated for the Asian Indoor Games in Qatar where he would have been a good prospect for the 60metre sprint event when you look at the timing he achieved. This did not happen and now we should look at him participating in the World Indoor Games.
Can you explain something about the support they receive?
Himasha as well as Vinoth Suranjya de Silva, who won the 200m Gold works for the Sri Lanka Army where they get all the support they need. The Sri Lanka Army is very supportive in promoting these two athletes. This alone is not enough to take the athlete to the next level.
Can you further explain this?
To achieve the high level of breaking the 10seconds barrier we need to take them to be trained abroad under a top level coach. We also need to have access to expert studying and analysis of the athlete using Bio Mechanic techniques. They also need expert care in the intake of nutrition as well as the required mental conditioning. This requires a good sponsorship package that could fund the future training and development. While the Army has been helping the athlete the need for a sponsor is important.
What else are you looking for?
There is a need for accommodation at a place closer to the training ground either in Colombo or Diyagama. This is enable him to have quick access to facilities as well be able to get back and rest as travelling otherwise takes time and also is stressful. There is also a need for the Ministry Sports Unit to be involved closely with the athlete and advise on the many things he should do and what he should not do.
What about the bad experience the athlete had as a teenager?
In 2012, as a teenager Himasha Eshan had purchased and used a supplement purchased off the counter from a Pharmacy, This product was JAK 3D (methyl hexamine), which was declared as a banned substance by the WADA. This happened because of the lack of knowledge on the many products that are marketed. There is a need for continuous education and close contact with the Ministry Sports Medicine Unit for all to not fall into the trap of using products that are openly marketed. These may be used normal people but not by athletes in competition. Often the contents may not be what are on the label. Having had a bad experience which would have denied the country of a talented athlete, I think the Ministry of Sports should run an outlet to help athletes purchase their requirements or get a businessman to run a shop which is run under Ministry supervision.