Second successive World Championship:

Lanka’s Christine Sonali determined to make presence felt

Dinesh Weerawansa reporting from Russia

MOSCOW, Aug. 10 - Hurdler Christine Sonali Merril, the US-based Sri Lanka star athlete, will be competing in her second successive World Championship, having made her debut in Daegu, South Korea two years ago.

She has come a long way since then and reached her career best timing earlier this year. Sonali is determined that she could make her presence felt in the Russian capital, perhaps to better the Sri Lanka record with her personal best.

But the women’s 400m hurdles will be a keenly contested event at the Moscow 2013 World Championship though only a few athletes in the world this year have been as dominant as Zuzana Hejnova.

The Czech 400m hurdler in roaring the win the gold, having won all of her races this season in her pet event. After her first two IAAF Diamond League victories, in which she broke 54 seconds in Shanghai and Eugene, it looked as though the 26-year-old may have peaked too early in the season.

However, as the season went on, it became clear that Hejnova was simply in incredible form. If anything, she has been getting quicker in her last few races leading up to the IAAF World Championships. She set a season’s best of 53.60 to win in Oslo, then followed it with 53.32 in Ostrava.

Nevertheless, the London 2012 Olympic Games bronze medallist knows she can’t take anything for granted.

Hejnova went to the 2011 World Championships with the second-fastest time in the world, but finished outside the medals.

Hejnova’s task will be made slightly easier by the fact that Kori Carter, the fastest US woman this year with a best of 53.21, will not be in Moscow. She withdrew from the US Championships before the semifinals but had already considered missing the World Championships as her sister’s wedding is being held that same week.

USA will still send four women in the event though, as the 2011 World Championships winner Lashinda Demus has a wildcard entry, but the defending champion is just 10th fastest of the entrants for Moscow.

Hosts Russia too has a hope with Olympic champion Natalya Antyukh racing just twice over the barriers this year, her best result being her 55.20 in the heats at the Russian championships last month. Hence, Lankan lass Merril will face tough competition on Monday.

The former Asian Championship bronze medallist will be the first Sri Lankan to be seen in action at the 14th IAAF World Championship at Luzhniki Stadium on Monday.

Merril who won a medal in her pet event at the Kobe Asian Championship two years ago, will be seen in action in women’s 400m hurdles first round heats scheduled to be worked off tomorrow (August 12) at 1.20 p.m. Sri Lanka time.

Merril took time off her busy training schedule in Moscow for an exclusive interview with the Sunday Observer. Here are the excerpts of her interview.

Q: This is going to be your second successive IAAF World Championship after competing in Daegu 2011. How do you feel on your selection to compete in Moscow?

A: I feel honored to represent Sri Lanka, my family, friends, and supporters to the world. I must thank AASL President Major General Palitha Fernando and the AASL for their support and enabling me to reach this elite level.

It is great to come back two years later having achieved the timing standard for my entry into the IAAF World Championships.

Q: Compared to where you were at the last World Championships in South Korea two years ago, how far you have progressed since then?

A: For the past two years I have intensely trained, building on my speed and strength. In addition, I made an effort to learn the purpose and goal of each workout. I have progressed into being involved in my training’s architecture.

Q: What is the most memorable achievement in your career as an athlete?

A: There have been many memorable achievements in my career. One was winning the national championships in 2011 at Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium in Diyagama. My grandfather was shaking from excitement because he was so proud of me. Sharing that achievement with my family made it even more memorable.

Q: Apart from that, what are the major titles you have won for Sri Lanka at international meets as well as in US domestic competitions?

A: Past accomplishments include bronze medal in 2011 at the Asian Championships in Kobe, Japan, National record holder for the women’s 400m hurdles, and 2 time National champion. My aim is to win a medal at the Asian Games in 2014.

Q: Women’s 400m hurdles is your pet event. How have you have improved your timings since starting this event?

A: The first time I ran the 400m hurdles was at age 17 and I believe my timing was 68-70 seconds. This year I have ran my fastest time ever at 56.45 seconds. It is encouraging that I have been steadily improving.

Q: What is the performance you are aiming in Moscow 2013? How far you have worked for it over the past couple of years?

A: All of my past training has led me to this, so I cannot pinpoint how long I have worked for it exactly. It has definitely been the focus of this year. My goal of Moscow 2013 is to move up from my initial rankings going into the championships.

Q: How long you wish to remain an international athlete? Before you retire, do you have a specific goal to achieve in mind?

A: As long as I love the sport and still have untapped potential. Before I retire, I wanted to be a part of a Sri Lankan 4x400m relay team. That specific goal was achieved at this past Asian Championships in Pune, India.

Q: What made you to become an athlete? Apart from athletics, what are the other sports you indulge for leisure?

A: Tenacity. Discipline. Dedication to continual learning and improvement. Injury management. And having an incredible support system.

My other sporting interests include tennis and dance. Both of which I enjoy watching as much as I do indulging.

Q: Who is your dream athlete and what inspired you to make that choice?

A: I never had a dream athlete growing up. My inspiration came from my surroundings. By that I mean, from people I looked up to who were a part of my life.

Q: Have you finished your higher studies? That is your ultimate target in life?

A: Yes, I have completed my degree in engineering. No, it is not my ultimate target in life - otherwise, that would mean I don’t intend to use it!