Nimali, a rising star

by Chintana Wasala

Sri Lanka's success at the international athletic arena in the recent past has not been up to expectations. Only a handful of Lankan athletes have shone on track and field at international competitions recently, including the likes of Nadeeka Lakmali, Sachith Maduranga, Anuradha Indrajith Cooray and Chandrika Subashini.

After the golden era of Lankan athletics when the heroes of our time, Sugath Thillakaratne, Susanthika Jayasinghe, Sriyani Kulawansa, Sriyani Dhammika Manike and Damayanthi Darsha decorated themselves with back to back Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, nearly two decades ago, Sri Lanka is still searching for a star athlete who can repeat such feats.

Then comes Nimali Liyanarachchi, a 26-year-old athlete who hails from the far corner of the country, Sooriyawewa in the Southern Province.

Nimali was the cynosure of all eyes at the recently concluded 21st Asian Athletics Championships, where Sri Lanka was starved of medals until the final day. The rural girl became the star sensation for the Lankan contingent when she ran a personal best, of two minutes 03.94 seconds and held onto the Bronze medal but missed the 23-year old Sri Lanka record for the women' s 800 metres, held by Sriyani Dhammika Menike by a whisker. Nimali was just 0.09th of a second slower than Menike who ran a two minutes 03.85 second sprint to claim the national record during the Olympic Games in, Barcelona, Spain in 1992.

"The feeling was mixed. I needed the medal. I knew I had done it by the time. But when I saw that I had missed the National record (2:03.85 sec) by 0.09 seconds I was furious" said Nimali who looked disappointed after missing the opportunity to erase the 23-year old national record.

"I will have three more opportunities after two weeks in Thailand. I am looking to better my time at the Asian Grand Prix Series which will be held in Bangkok, Pathum Thani and Ayutthaya later this month. I will also try to reach the qualifying standards for the World Championships as well as the Rio Olympics. The time that I am looking for is two minutes and one second, which will assure a place for me at both of the prestigious events.

Nimali trains with her friend and partner Gayanthika Abeyratne who is also from Sooriyawewa, where both of them were track stars during their school days under the same coach, Sujith Abeysekara.

Nimali also competed in various distances and middle distance events and had excelled in all of them at national level before finally settling down with the 800m two years ago, which has paved the way for them to make vast strides in major global events.

Nimali had been running 5000m, 3000m steeple chase, 400m hurdle, 1500m and 400m before choosing the 800m as her main event. She had been winning all these events at national level while setting Sri Lanka records in the 3000 m steeple chase and 400m hurdle while she was at her best in those events.

Nimali represented Sri Lanka in two major international events during the last two years - 20th Asian Athletics Championship in 2013 in Pune and 20th Commonwealth Games, 2014, in Glasgow. At that time, she had clocked a personal best of 2 minutes 04.32 seconds. She could have secured a bronze medal in Pune with her timing, but finished just outside in 4th position with 2:05.87 seconds, and could not advance beyond the heats in the Commonwealth Games.

It is clear that if essential facilities were provided, Nimali could easily go for a higher mark. Still training under Sujith in Hambantota, she has to take public transport for more than 250 kilometres to lay her spike on a synthetic track.

"We train with basic facilities which are available in Sooriyawewa. I know there are many who can do well in our area but all of us find it hard to cope with the increasing level of competition in the international arena under these conditions. We have to come to Colombo to train on a synthetic track. Traveling such long distances by train is not a feasible and I am sure with necessary infrastructure, we can bring more and more honour to our country," added Nimali.

"The biggest problem I have is the lack of international exposure. Last year, the only major event I got was the Commonwealth Games and I was omitted from the Asian Games. If I got a few good competitions, I would have done far better," said Nimali.

After joining Sri Lanka Air Force in 2009, she was able to solve some of her problems which had taken her concentration out of Athletics. Nimali looks after her family with her Air Force salary, while having no place to stay when she comes for training to the capital.

The Air Force has always backed me and given me the support I need. I like to thank our Commander, Air Marshal Kolitha Gunatilleke and fellow airmen and women who are always with me in my endeavours.

The spikes I use lasts only for three races, and now I don't have spikes to run in the Asian Grand Prix series, as the pair I wore during the Asian Championship is broken,". He coach Sujith Abeysekara, endorsed her sentiments.

The Commander of the Air Force and fellow staff members, coach, Sujith Abeysekara, Sooriyawewa Divisional Secretary and Kirinde Assaji Thero, Dr Lal, Staff of the Sports Medicine Unit and the Tourism and Sports Ministry officials including Minister, Navin Dissanayake were among those she was grateful to.

Starting from a dusty track at Wewegama Kanishta Vidyalaya, Nimali has come a long way to conquer the world. Nimali is now a national treasuse. She represents the country and now the country country should nurture her inborn talent and give her the assistance she requires.