Anitha, Ayesha, Ajith to make International debut in Thai Open

Hammer Thrower Ayesha Maduwanthi, Pole Vaulter Anitha Jegatheeswaran and Decathlon athlete Ajith Karunathilaka will compete in their first international championship as they have been included in the eight member SL team for the forthcoming Thailand Open Athletics Championship to be held from 12-15 June.

This is the first instance in the athletics history of Sri Lanka where a female hammer thrower has been given an international competition when Ayesha competes in the Thailand Open.

Ayesha who broke the SL record for the fourth time during the last National trials in April was critical of AASL regarding lack of proper recognition to her pet event, where she said after being on top of her game for more than four years she is yet to get proper competition, recognition or facilities.

Karunathilaka also renewed the SL record several times in the recent past and this tour has ended the long gap where a Decathlon athlete was given an international competition, as it’s been more than seven years since the last occasion.

Jaffna’s vaulting queen Anitha will compete overseas for the first time after her several record breaking performances and will mark the first instance that Sri Lanka is sending a senior female pole vaulter for an international competition.

The rest of the team includes 400m runner Kalinga Kumara, Long Jumper Dhanuka Liyanapathirana, Javelin Thrower D.S. Ranasinghe, Triple Jumper Vidusha Lakshani and 3000m steeplechase runner Nilani Ratnayake.

Madhawa Bandara Senarath (Ayesha Maduwanthi’s coach) will be the Manager, while C. Subashkaran (Anitha’s coach) will be the coach of the team.

Team

Men : Kalinga Kumarage (400m), Ajith Karunathilaka (Decathlon), Danuka Liyanapathirana (Long Jump), D.S. Ranasinghe (Javelin Throw)

Women: Vidusha Lakshani (Triple Jump), Ayesha Maduwanthi (Hammer Throw), Anitha Jegatheeswaran (Pole Vault), Nilani Ratnayaka (3000m)

Coach: C. Subashkaran

Manager: Madhawa Bandara Senarath