Young Razwin leaping for glory
Razwin Careem is one aspiring athlete who has been greatly inspired by the legendary Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt. Razwin’s path of becoming an athlete commenced at the tender age of six, and as time went by his parents had noticed his passion and the enthusiasm for athletics. Witnessing Bolt achieve greater heights as a sprinter, his dream was further bolstered.
During his early years Razwin was interested in cricket. A proud product of Lyceum International School Panadura, Razwin grew under the shades of his first coach Rohitha Fernando. In the first few years, he regularly participated in athletics meets and won several awards at school level. Understanding his own potential, the youngsters decided to pursue a long term career as an athlete. This resulted in calling quits to cricket prematurely. But the 16-year-old made sure he gave equal importance to academics as well as sporting endeavours. As a result he was able to get through his Cambridge Ordinary Level examination with flying colours.
“It was difficult when it comes to balancing my education along with my sporting commitments. However my parents encouraged me to excel in both studies and sports, as education is an essential component for a successful sportsman,” Razwin explained.
As time went by Razwin decided to give priority to his pet event — long jump. His mother, Samindi Perera, a former long jumper at school level, encouraged him to choose event she mastered in and eventually it turn out to be the turning point of his career. In 2017, he participated at the Sir John Tarbat Athletic Championship for the first time. It was his first major competition under his new coach Nayana Prasad, a former national long jumper. The coach observed Razwin’s progress from close quarters throughout the last five years. This youngster has also participated four times in this prestigious competition and had a significant amount of success.
Since then Razwin has made a rapid progress, winning over 40 medals leading up to the Youth Asian Athletic Championship in Kuwait. Since winning his first John Tarbat medal in 2017, Razwin had the craving and qualities of a successful sportsman.
In 2022, which can be considered as Razwin’s most successful year, he achieved his personal best with a leap of 6.91 metres. Considering his level of performances in the last few years, Razwin’s tender mind had the optimism that he could go far beyond. This time the Sir John Tarbat Championship was even more significant as it served as a qualification event for the Youth Asian Athletic Championship in Kuwait. On the eve of the competition Razwin was confident in qualifying for the event in Kuwait.
However he was able to exceed his own expectations as this youngster from Lyceum Panadura went on to break the national record of 7.17 metres by leaping a distance of 7.20 metres, which exceeded both the national record and the required qualification standard.
However the youngster did not live up to the expectations during his first international overseas competition. He was placed sixth in the overall standings with a jump of 6.77 metres. Despite the disappointment at the Youth Asian Athletic Championship, he said that it was a great experience competing with international athletes.
He also said that he will be using the experience gained for his development as an athlete. He paid his gratitude to everyone who has played key roles in his career up to now – mainly his parents, Hasitha Ranasinghe, the Head of Sports at Lyceum Panadura, first coach Rohitha Fernando and his present coach Nayana Prasad.
This is just the beginning of a long journey for youngster Razwin, who has enjoyed success through the decade. He is well aware about the challenges as he moves forward on to the international stage. His main ambition is to represent his country in global events and reach the Asian and proceed to the Olympics and bring glory to his motherland.