Thushen creates history in high jump; Sri Lanka claims three medals at AYAC
Thushen faced many odds before breaking a 72-year-old hoodoo
Thushen Silva of Maris Stella College, Negombo created history when he claimed Sri Lanka’s second medal in pole vault after a long wait of 72 years. Silva, who is trained by former athlete Sanath Gunaratne, cleared 4.70 metres to win the silver medal at the Asian Youth Athletics Championship, currently being held in Uzbekistan.
In addition Nilupul Pehesara claimed a silver medal in the Boy’s High Jump while Kasuni Wickramasinghe secured a bronze medal in the Girls’ 800m event. Finishing second best behind Ismailov Devdavs, who cleated 2.06m, Peheasara of Vijitha Central, Dickwella, cleared 2.01 metres to finish second, while Kim Hyeonsik of South Korea and Do Hoang Nghia of Vietnam were declared joint third after clearing the same height in the Boy’s High Jump event. Lesandu Arthavidu finished fifth after leaping 1.80 metres.
Wickramasinghe, who ran with a hamstring injury fought hard to secure the silver medal. The lass from Wickramabahu National School, Gampola was unable to walk immediately after the event and she had to be treated immediately.
Despite the fact that the youngster from Negombo had to travel without a pole, after officials failed to complete the protocols in taking the much needed equipment along with the athlete, Thushen found a friend in his fellow competitor from Kazakhstan, who willingly let the Sri Lankan compete and end up with a silver medal. China won the gold in the Men’s Pole Vault while Kazakhstan claimed the silver medal.
In addition to that Thushen had to travel without his coach, Gunaratne, due to financial restrictions. According to reports, the airline which the team travelled on, had required an amount of Rs.300,000 to airfreight the poles, and the athletics officials had conveyed the requirement to the sports ministry officials. In return, the higher officials had responded negatively, stating that the ministry had no funds to support the athlete and if the poles are a necessity, the athlete himself should bare the cost of taking them along.
After finding the possibilities from other participating countries, Thushen had to leave his usual pole which he uses at practices, as Kazakhstan stepped forward to assist the Sri Lankan youngster. With very little or no support from the custodians of sports in Sri Lanka, the youngster still managed to overshadow the record of M.A. Akbar, who won the first medal in men’s pole vault at Asian level, a silver medal at the Asian Games in 1951, after seven long decades.
It was just few months back when the national record holder in women’s pole vault, Sachini Perera, also a student of coach Gunaratne, made a decision to prematurely retire from the sport and leave the country in search of greener pastures. Perera, though breaking the national record more than once, was disappointed with trend on how she had to tackle difficulties while being engaged in the sport, where she had the potential of winning medals at international level. Coach Gunaratne had tried his level best to persuade Perera to reconsider her decision, but could not succeed in changing the athlete’s mind. However, despite substandard equipment such as poles and landing mattresses, Gunaratne, personally, ensured Thushen received all necessary training and correct equipment prior to the Asian Youth Athletics Championship, which resulted in bringing glory to Sri Lanka.
Even the officials of Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA) had to go on the begging bowl behind benefactors after the sports hierarchy had backed out from assisting the seven-member team to Uzbekistan. Sri Lankan athletes were compelled to borrow equipment from other participating countries, out of which Kazakhstan willingly opened their arms. Thushen used same pole used by his Kazakhstan counterpart in the final.
Besides the three medal winners, other athletes in contention are Ayomal Akalanka (400m hurdles), Jathya Kirula (400m) and Dulanjana Wickramasinghe (1500m). The seven athletes are accompanied by team manager Chandana Ekanayake, also the vice president of SLA and its president Major General Palitha Fernando, who represents the country as a delegate. The championship, which began on Thursday, ends today.