Phenomenal young star Sithum dubbed Sri Lanka’s Usain Bolt
Ravindu Sithum Jayasundara
Ravindu Sithum Jayasundara, a tall and lanky 16-year-old athlete from Sir John Kothalawela MV, Kurunegala has been dubbed Sri Lanka’s Usain Bolt because he bears a striking resemblance to the legendary Jamaican sprinter. It remains to be seen whether he can walk the talk and bring glory to his motherland on the international arena. But the teenager has shown glimpses of his potential as a star athlete with his phenomenal record-breaking performances in the 100, 200 and 400 metre events last year.
At 5 feet 8 inches and blessed with long powerful strides with an easy running style, Ravindu emerged like a bolt from the blue as the newest sprinting sensation striding like a colossus in his age group to be emerge champion at the 2019 Junior Nationals, Sir John Tarbat Championship and All Island School Games.
He won triple gold in the 100m, 200m and 400m events in the Junior Nationals and Sir John Tarbat Championship. His 400m time was the most eye-catching where he clocked 48.91 seconds to win the event. His time of 48.73 during the first round of the 400m was a new meet record at the All Island School Games while he clocked 11.23 to win the 100m. He also set new meet records of 22.36 (200m) and 49.53 (400m) at the Junior Nationals leaving his rivals by the wayside and also anchoring the 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams to glory at the Sir John Tarbat meet.
“Everyone tells me I look like Usain Bolt,” said Sithum laughing off his resemblance to the Olympic legend considered the greatest sprinter of all time. “He is certainly one of my idols,” he added.
Another inspiration is Dilan Bogoda, a product of Sir John Kothalawela MV, who was placed seventh in the 400m event at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games held in Argentina. “He was my role model from a small age,” said Sithum who is also grateful to his coach at Sir John Kothalawela MV Sunethra Karunanayake for identifying and nurturing his talent with proper guidance for the past three years.
“Miss (Sunethra) took me for athletics because I was tall. She is like a mother to me. My family has also supported me through many hardships,” said Sithum who hails from Ganewatte, Kurunegala.
“His comparative timings are even better than Dilan (Bogoda). He is an amazing talent. I have not given him the full work out. I have to nurture him carefully otherwise he will burn out. I took him because he was tall,” said former Sri Lanka national sprinter Karunanayake who was a finalist in the 100, and 200m at the inaugural Asian Junior Championships held in Indonesia in 1986.
“I can’t stretch him beyond the limit because we have to achieve strategic goals. He is a great hope for Sri Lanka. He can do wonders,” predicted Karunanayake, who has been Health and Physical Education Teacher at Sir John Kothalawela since 1992 and won a relay silver medal at the 1987 SAF Games representing Sri Lanka as a 16-year-old school girl of Good Shepherd Convent, Kandy teaming with stars such as Ramani Mangalika, Tilaka Jinadasa and Jayamini Illeperuma.
Recipient of the ‘NOCSL-Crysbro’ scholarship programme for the next two years, Sithum’s personal best of 22.17 in the 200m is better than Asian Youth Games average time of 21.86 while his 400m PB of 48.73 is not far behind the time of 48.26. His personal best in the 100m is 11.23.
“I am thankful for the sponsorship. I hope to train hard and bring glory to Sri Lanka. I am confident I can do something big. My ambition is to go for the Olympics,” said Sithum.