by Chris DHAMBARAGE
 It was at the backdrop of some uncertainty that he decided to compete
in his first major international track and field meet. He had of course
showed a great amount of promise through some outstanding performances
at provincial, school and junior level.
But nineteen year old Shehan Ambepitiya lived upto expectations as
the fastest man in Sri Lanka by completing a successful meet in the
important Asian Grand Prix Series worked off in China and Hong Kong
respectively.
This was another landmark in the illustrious career of this young
athlete from Gateway College who is set to take the sport into a new
dimension following the retirement of ace sprint queen Susanthika
Jayasinghe.
The success of Shehan Ambepitiya in the Asian Grand Prix Series is
quite a significant one considering the fact that he was up against some
of the top athletes in the region who will be also vying for honours at
the next Asian Games in China and the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.
The striking fact was that Ambepitiya not only showed glimpse of his
true capabilities but was able to produce an inspiring performance that
will certainly carry Sri Lankan athletics into the next generation.
This is what exactly Sri Lanka was looking for - an international
class athlete - who could withstand the pressure and the odds against
the toughest opposition. Ambepitiya has proved that he has all the
ingredients with him to emerge as Sri Lanka’s medal prospect at the next
Olympic Games in London.
 Ambepitiya, running under trying conditions was able to secure the
second place in the first two rounds and took the third place in the
third and final leg of the Asian Grand Prix Series while competing in
the men’s 100 metres event.
But it was the experience that really mattered at the end because
this was the first time he was competing at a senior meet and that too
against a bunch of professional athletes who are very much familiar with
the conditions in those countries.
However, Ambepitiya simply believed that he could make a fine impact
that would certainly boost his confidence ahead of the important
assignments lined up for this year.
Even then his lasting dream and ambition is to help Sri Lanka win a
medal at the next Olympic Games in London where Sri Lanka won its very
first Olympic medal in 1948 through the legendary Duncan White.
 In fact Ambepitiya has already started the long, hard preparations in
an attempt to emulate that feat along with his experienced and long
standing coach veteran Sunil Gunawardena.
This great athletic combination has brought out some fantastic
results in the recent past as they look towards making steady progress
in search of more glory for their country. This same combination was
able to take the athletic world by storm during the Commonwealth Youth
Games held in Pune, India.
It was at this meet that Shehan Ambepitiya really came out of his age
where he stunned a host of other top athletes from 71 countries to win
gold medals in the men’s 100 metres and men’s 200 metres in a record
time and followed up by running the anchor lap to clinch the men’s 4X100
metres relay final.
His performances at this meet also helped Sri Lanka finish among the
top ten out of a total of 71 nations in the final medal standings.
Ambepitiya will be soon
joining Leeds International in England for a well deserved
scholarship that will help him to enhance his potential to the maximum.
Ambepitiya who is blessed with a lot of talent has reached new
heights in the local track and field scene during a short period of time
and is striving hard to become the third athlete to win a medal at the
Olympic Games after Duncan White and Susanthika Jayasinghe. |
