Sri Lanka’s 800m champion Gayanthika Abeyratne clocked 2 minutes 2.35 seconds to finish in fifth place in the 800m heats of the World Athletic Championship held in Eugene, USA yesterday morning.
The 35-year athlete from Sri Lanka Navy recorded her second best time as well as second best time by a Sri Lankan female runner only behind her personal best National record of 2 minutes 01.44 seconds set early this year at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
Gayanthika put up a good fight finishing overall 29th out of 45 athletes and is “a great achievement”, said Gayanthika Abeyratne in an exclusive interview to the Daily News after her 800m heat. “I had to run with world-leading athletes and my first aim was to enter the second round. This was the first time I took part in this World Athletic Championship and good exposure for me. I knew after Olympic Silver medalist Susanthika Jayasinghe and our Javelin thrower Nadeeka Lakmali entered the finals of the World Athletic Championship in 2013. My coach Sajith Jayalal gave me good confidence before this heat and trained hard in Eugene with the coach. I had to compete with world-ranked athletes like Australia and Germany. it was a tough fight but I am happy to do my best at this stage this achievement is also very high for me added Gayanthika who hails from Sooriyawewa Hambantota”, she added.
“Qualifying for the World Championship was also a great chance and due to lack of exposure from International level I must thank Sri Lanka Athletics, Sports Ministry, as well as National Olympic Committee and my employer Sri Lanka Navy, my parents, and my husband who encouraged me to come to this journey”, added Gayanthika.
Gayanthika Abeyratne also said as soon as she reaches Colombo on July 26, she will join the Commonwealth Games team in Birmingham and is looking forward to doing well and at Asian Games in 2023 September also has high hopes said Gayanthika Abeyratne.