Royalist Anas Ahmed dethrones the king but misses the crown FINAL STANDINGS:
1. How did you get interested in athletics? My first race was in my St. Bridget’s uniform when I was 8 years old. Once my family moved to the USA, I began running again for my High School. This was when I started to run longer distance races. I had a lot of success and earned a full scholarship to the University of Kentucky. I ran cross country and track and field for 5 years at the university. I love athletics because it’s a sport that gives anyone an opportunity to excel. If you work hard you will succeed! 2. Who has inspired you in your given events?
My dad Punu Wijayaratne ran while he was a student at Royal College from 19771983. His running genetics must have gotten passed to me. My mom taught me that I must work very hard to accomplish anything in life. Marathon training is very difficult. I run between 85-100 miles every week, which takes a lot of discipline. My coach, Peter Sherry has also guided me to be confident in myself. He ran for team USA, Reebok and Adidas from 1991-2004. He also qualified for the Olympic trials in 2000 and 2004. 3. Parent’s support?
My parents have supported me in many ways throughout my entire athletics career. They are my biggest fans whether I win or lose. My mom and dad have also requested help from many of their friends and family to get Sri Lanka’s attention with regards to my running achievements. Financially, running is an easy sport. The only expenses are for shoes and clothing. In college everything was provided for free! Now, I have to purchase things on my own. Thank god I have a great job!
The biggest upset in carrom took place on Sunday at the 12th Ranger’s Open Ranking Carrom Tournament 2014 when Sri Lankas No. 1 and National Champion of this year Chamil Cooray was dethroned by Anas Ahamed, a schoolboy from Royal College, Colombo in the Men’s semi-finals of the Men’s Singles at the Carrom Federation Headquarters, Maharagama.
After many years of excellent carrom and reaching finals in all tournaments, with this defeat Chamil moved into the 3rd position of the rankings. This year’s tournament came to an end when experienced Nishantha Fernando and Joseph Roshita winning the Men’s and Women’s Singles respectively.
In the first Men’s singles semi-finals between Ahamed and Cooray Nishantha Fernando Anas Ahamed Chamil Cooray M.T.M. Hilmy Brindly Wickremasinghe R.J.W. Lahiru Eshan Mohamed Shaheed Dimal Senaratne the first game was won by Chamil Cooray with ease 25/10 but the Royalist came back very strongly back into the game and didn’t give any chances to the national champion as he missed some vital shots and in the second and third games Anas sliced his way skillfully to over come the opponent winning 25/20 and 25/14 to enter the finals. In the other semi-final Nishantha Fernando scored a cake-walk victory over M.T.M. Hilmy with 25/0 and 25/4 win to make his way to the finals. Joseph Roshita Chalani L. Liyanage Madushika Kanchanamala Arosha Wickremasinghe Maduwanthi Gunadasa Buddini Dias Kusalya Vidnagama Pavani Yasoda
Schoolboy Anas Ahamed meeting the experienced Nishantha Fernando in the finals won the first game in a close fight 25/24 but Fernando making use of his experience and tactics had the schoolboy completely disturbed and won the second and the third set without a fight 25/12 and 25/00 to climb into the top ranking position.
In the finals of the Women’s singles Sri Lanka player Joseph Roshita found things easy, to beat Chalani L. Liyanage 25/13 and 25/9 to
Marathon – 2:43.35 - Indianapolis Monumental Marathon November 1, 2014. This was my first marathon. My time is faster than the current Sri Lankan national record for the event.
Half- Marathon – 1:17.30 – Evansville Half Marathon – October 4, 2014. This was my first half-marathon. I won the race and set a new course record by 7 minutes. My time is faster than the current Sri Lankan national record for the event.
15 KM – 55:07 – YMCA Evansville 15K – September 6, 2014. I won this race. The next closest female competitor was 5 minute behind.
Track and Field: 1500M- 4:34, 3000M – 9:46, 5000M – 17:06, 10000M- 36:15 5. Immediate and future goals.
The marathon is an exhausting event, so I must be very careful about how many I run in a year. My next goal is to run in the Boston Marathon on April 20, 2015. I hope to run around 2 hours and 38 minutes. After this marathon I hope to represent Sri Lanka at the World Track and Field. Championships in China in August 2015. I Thave already achieved the standard necessary for these games. The 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janero is my loftiest future goal! 6. Would you like to represent Sri Lanka if given the opportunity? I dream about the day I can bring Sri Lanka pride (since I was a child). I believe I have the talent and work ethic to compete alongside fellow countrymen and woman for positions on international teams. I hope that the Sri Lankan Athletics Association will see me as a valuable athlete and provide me an opportunity to compete for medals at National, Asian, and World championships. I am very willing to fly from USA for any competition I am invited to! occupy the top ranking position.
(1) Anas Ahamed beat Chamil Cooray 10/25, 25/20. 25/14, (2) W.W.D. Nishantha Fernando beat M.T.M. Hilmy 25/00, 25/4
Nishantha Fernando beat Anas Ahamed 24/25, 25/12, 25/00
Joseph Roshita beat Chalani L. Liyanage 25/13 and 25/9
The last event in this year’s carrom calendar will be the ‘Prize Money Carrom Tournament’ which will only be held on one day where men and women participate together. Entries will be closed on December10, 2014 with the draw to be taken place on December 12 and the tournament will be worked off at the Carrom Federation H.Q., Maharagama on December 20.
The New Year 2015 will begin with the 47th Nationals Carrom Championship. Entries will be received upto December 23 and the draw will be held on December 27, 2014. The championship is scheduled to start on January 17, 2015.