Soldier Akila Channaka Feranando was able to win third medal for Sri Lanka as he finished second in the 20,000M race walking event of the Thailand open Athletics championship 2014 held at Thammasat university sports complex yesterday.
Fernando Clocked 1 hours and 40.11 minutes to win his first international medal in his first international tour while female race walking athlete NC Damayanthi did not finished the race.
Sri Lanka now has three medals in the tally.(Niluka Rajasekara 1500m gold medal, Manjula Kumara High Jump Bronze medal, Akila Fernnado Race walking (20000m) Silver Medal).
Chandrika Subashini did well to win 200m heat with sub 25 second performance which gave her lead well over 20m and advanced to the finals as favorite to win the gold medal. ARM Rajaskhan too won his 200m men’s heat with 21.6 seconds performance and advanced to the finals.
Fernando the only medalist of the day said he was nervous to face his first international event which prevent him compete with his usual speed from the front.
“I was Nervous and did race from behind rather than leading from the start which slowed me down in the first 1000m which I normally do around 4.30 minutes and here I took more than 5 minutes.” said Fernando
Also Fernando added that this was his first experienced walking over 10000m in the track.
“I have raced many 20k races but never did those in the track. All 20km races conduct in the road when we compete in Sri Lanka. This is my first time,” added Fernando.
Fernando has timed 1 hour and 38 minute to win last national championship and that could have been Gold medal performance for him as Thailand’s Kittipong Jonduang won gold medal here only by clocking 1 hours and 39 minute . Mohomad Afiz of Malaysia finished third (1:41.49)
Fernando was earlier selected to tour Japan for Asian Race walking championship but did not toured that
“I didn’t receive that Japan tour for some reason but happy about receiving at least this tour which is my first International Meet and more than happy to win medal here.
Fernando has joined with Army few years back as athlete for long distance run. But some injury in basic Army training forced him to take up in race walking. He now trains under veteran coach and former national race walking champion who also hold the national race walking record.
“First I trained race walking under coach Bandula and 3 and half years ago I met coach Nayanananda who transformed me to athlete who I am today.’ Said Fernando
Fernando 25 year old hailing from Daluwakotuwa St. Anne’s College has trained race waling 4 year now and won his first national event in the first year of training.
Today will be the third day of the meet where both 200m and 400m races will work off. Sri Lankan will expect both men and women gold medals of 400m and 200m women gold medal where Rajaskhan too has tough chance for medal in the men’s 200m. Apart from that another golden hope of Sri Lanka, WKLA Nimali will compete in the women’s 800m heats where she will have biggest challenge from her team mate Gayanthika Abeyrathne. Men’s 4x100m relay team too will be action in the afternoon. Competition will be concluding tomorrow.
