Nerves got the better of Ranasinghe

From our cor. in Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO, Friday. - Sri Lanka javelin throw champion Sumeda

Ranasinghe, despite failing to prove his presence in his pet event at the XXXIst Olympic Games here, sees light at the end of tunnel.

The 2016 South Asian Games silver medallist, who cleared only a distance of 71.93m here to finish last in qualifying round - far below his own Sri Lanka national record of 83.04m, said his limited experience in the big league prevented him from achieving his brilliant best.

"I have not been in the international arena for a short period only.. Since making my debut tour with the Sri Lanka athletic team for the Thai Open a couple of years ago, the only international meet that I had taken part before the Olympics was the South Asian Games in India last January. Hence, Olympic Games was a big challenge to me," he said.

The 25-year-old undergraduate in sports science said there is a vast difference between the South Asian Games and Olympics and that he was under pressure when he was exposed to the Rio atmosphere. "I wonder whether it was too early for me to make my Olympic debut. It happened because I gained qualifying standards. Nevertheless, it was a good experience. There is a big gap between South Asian Games and Olympics. This is a good exposure for me to face the future with confidence," he told media at the Olympic Village.

"The level of competition was very high and the atmosphere was different and so demanding. This was my first such experience. Naturally, I was under pressure. I was excited a bit when competing and that prevented my normal form.

But the experience I got here is so vital for me to prepare for my future. This is just the beginning in real international arena and I feel that I could offer better things in future," Ranasinghe said. The ace Lankan javelin thrower who cleared a distance of 78.25m to win the

silver medal at the 2016 South Asian ames in Guwahati, India in January said he is looking forward to compete in 2018 Asian Games and 2020 Olympic Games.

"I will work harder, put a lot more effort to gain qualification levels. I came to Rio as a qualified athlete who has gained entry standards.

Similarly, I will make every effort to qualify for the next Asian and Olympic Games," said Ranasinghe who is also eligible to qualify for next year's IAAF World Championship in London.

Asked what his immediate plans are after Rio Olympics, Ranasinghe said he will have to concentrate more on his studies as he is a final year undergraduate. "I am on my final year for a degree in sports science and management at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Hence, I have to concentrate more on my final examination. But at the same time, I will find time for my sports career as well. I always believe that studies and sports must go hand in hand," he pointed out.

"As I have pointed out before, sportsmen must secure their future with some studies or professional qualification. Then there will be a value for them once they end the sports careers. I want to succeed equally both I sports as well as in my studies," he said.

Ranasinghe is confident that he would do well in future international meets with his experience at the highest level. "This is only a beginning to the highest level. If I continue to get more experience and exposure at international level, I should be able to improve further. I need more competition and exposure at the top level," Ranasinghe said.

In studies, Ranasinghe has a dream of following further higher studies - to do a doctorate in sports science and management, the same major he is specializing at present. "I want to do my basic degree well. I am doing a special degree and after graduation, I have a plan to do my PhD abroad," he said.

His coach Pradeep Nishantha said the top Lankan hurdler should do well in future, provided he gets adequate training and competition experience at top level.

"He needs a good training opportunity, preferably in a country such as Germany or Finland. The level of throwing events and expertise in the event those countries have is great. If we could secure a sports scholarship or a training opportunity for Sumeda, he would definitely improve his standard.

If we invent on this promising hurdler, there will be results," Nishantha said.