Dedication and discipline drives jumper Sarangi
Some months back she may have been considered as just another brick in the wall, but during the recent weeks, Lakshini Sarangi Silva is experiencing a twist in fortunes. The 25-year-old long jumper, who is attached to Sri Lanka Army for the past seven years, may have had something special in her as a youngster, but the justification of the claim and to prove her capabilities, Sarangi had to gulp in more portions of what she was utilising since her childhood — dedication.
“If not for dedication and discipline, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve the national record. But that extra bit, proved really worthwhile. I wish I had that same instinct some years back. I’m happy that at least I have it now,” passionately speaking on her achievement of claiming the national record in Women’s Long Jump .
In June last year, Sarangi first claimed the national record by clearing a distance of 6.44m at the International Athletics Championship held in Istanbul, Turkey, but what she was able to achieve during the first National Athletic Trials last month was something that will stay in Sarangi’s head forever.
She bettered her own national record, with a leap of 6.53m in her very first attempt, and did not waste much time to clear a record breaking jump of 6.65m, to cement her name alongside the national record of Women’s Long Jump.
“This was what I had in my mind since I was a kid. I sweat myself to achieve this. But if I look back, this was something that I could have achieved earlier. Thanks to the exposure, training and proper mentorship of those who are around me, here I am today,” she proclaimed proudly.
Unlike most ordinary lasses or ‘more talkers’ Sarangi has mastered the art of ‘letting action speak on behalf of her’. Right now she talks lesser than she used to talk, and focuses more in her event, the Women’s Long Jump.
Justifying her claim, the performances during the first National Athletics Trials, has guaranteed the former Sri Sumangala Girls’ School, Panadura lass berths at the Asian Games to be held in China and Commonwealth Games to be held in Birmingham, England. But her real test and aim is the Olympics, a dream Sarangi can lay her focus on, unlike those who aimlessly aim at the biggest sporting extravaganza on earth.
Sarangi has been making strides in the sythentic track recently
“This whole change was due to the National Olympic Committee scholarship I received, to train in Qatar under world renowned coaches and trainers. The residential programme was vital to me. If I break records with pleasing results, that exposure was one of the reasons,” stated Sarangi.
After her initial dream of representing the country was realised, Sarangi went on to win the gold medal in her event at the South Asian Games 2019 held in Kathmandu, Nepal, with a leap of 6.38m. It was the gradual beginning for the youngster, who trains under coach Y.K. Kularatne for the past 12 years. After nearly three years Sarangi keeps getting better and stronger with the aim of culminating with an Olympic gold medal.
“We Sri Lankans are not that privileged compared to track and field athletes from countries outside Asia. Adding more to that, our athletes get very little international exposure. These are the biggest disadvantage to athletes here. But I succeeded by simply ignoring these lagging areas and simply focusing on my event,” explained Sarangi, who considers the training received in Qatar as a game changer.
Her eagle eyes are now directed towards the competitive European circuit, where Sarangi thinks she could fulfill her aspirations towards international medals. By now she’s experienced enough to spot the locations of the globe where her skills can be really tested.
“At Asian level, it’s a different level of competition, but the European Circuit is a different ball game. From Asia the athlete in you can emerge, but competing in Europe can help you identify the medal winner. It’s a good training ground to any athlete, not only on the field but mostly off the field. That’s the reason why athletes from the West are more strong physically and mentally at global level. I want to be that, and become the next medal winner at all international events, up to the Olympics,” she sturdily said.
With that intention, Sarangi has requested in writing to the Ministry of Sports through Sri Lanka Athletics and the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC) to help her obtain another opportunity to train in Qatar. This appeal was made in writing two months ago, weeks before she committed the ‘double murder’ of slaughtering her own national record twice on the same day within minutes.
By now Sarangi has justified her request through action, and is waiting eagerly for a response while gearing up for the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, which happens within a difference of a short duration.
“I’m what I and where I am because of the blend of all expertise and my dedication. I take what makes my athletic career better. By now I have professional support from a nutritionist, my coach of 12 years, Mr. Kularatne, Sri Lanka Army and of course my family. The more support I get, the better I become. I can consider that good times are here and dedication and focus is what makes your luck stay,” said the long jumper, who currently stands at the top in the women’s ranking in Asia. Since the draught of international athletic competitions Sarangi’s world rank points have reached high and may have the potential to reach among the top five of the world. But Saranji is resolute to officially earn it through competitions and become one of the best women jumpers in the world.