Ayomal Akalanka, who holds the Under-18 Sri Lankan record and the national junior record in the 400m hurdles event is still 18 years old and currently holds more than twelve tournament records in the island. Ayomal, who is currently training under coach Anura Bandara, who was also the coach of Sri Lanka's famous Olympic athlete Sugath Thilakaratne, hopes to qualify for the Olympic Games to be held in the year 2028 at Los Angeles, USA. Ayomal, who is ready to face the Advanced Level Examination, shared his story with us.

Following are excerpts from the interview:

How’s life and times these days?

All the tournaments for this year have ended. Currently the A/L exams are happening so my full attention is focused into running past that challenge. Although it is difficult to carry out the training activities as usual, I do engage whenever possible.

How did you get into athletics?

I used to play football when I was young. My first school was Sri Pada Central College, Hatton. During my time in this school, when I was around 12 years, I participated in the inter-house sports meet and won my events, and later I went onto clinch zonal, divisional and provincial wins. At that time, I was training with an elder brother and a sister who were into athletics at school and did 100 metres and long jump events. Coach Anura, who saw me running in the zonal meet when I was in Grade 9, inquired my uncle whether I’d like to join Central College, Ambagamuwa. From the age of 13, I have been training well with my current trainer Anura Bandara. And so far I have achieved a large number of national and international level achievements.

Can we rekindle some of your achievements from school?

First I won inter-house, divisional, zonal and provincial levels. Later, in 2022 and 2023, I won gold in the 400m hurdles in the All Island Schools Games, gold U18 400m hurdles at the John Tarbert Senior Championships (2023), gold in the U18 400m hurdles at the National Junior Athletics Championships (2023). I was also able to win gold medals in the U20 400m hurdles at the Youth Athletics Festival, and at the National Junior Athletics Championships in 2024. As one of my greatest achievements in my sports career, I was able to become the national champion in the 400m hurdles event at the National Athletics Championship in 2024. I am truly humbled and proud to have become the national champion in my event whilst being a schoolboy. At the same time, I was able to win gold in the 400m hurdles at the National Sports Festival this year.

Tell us about your international level achievements?

So far I have participated in four international tournaments. At the 5th Youth Athletic Games held in Uzbekistan in 2023, I was able to win bronze in the 400m hurdles and silver in the 400m hurdles at the Youth Commonwealth Games held in Trinidad and Tobago. After that, I finished fifth in the 400m hurdles at the Asian Junior Athletics Championships held in Dubai this year.This year I became fourth in the semifinals of the World Junior Athletics Championship held in Peru.

So far how many records do you hold?

So far, about 12 records are established under my name. The Under-18 Sri Lankan record and the national junior record (400m hurdles).  At the provincial level, 400m hurdles U18 and 110m hurdles (U20) records. Also the tournament record of the Under-18 boys 400m hurdles in the All Island Schools Games, the tournament record of the Under-18 boys 400m hurdles at the John Tarbert Senior Athletics Championship and the Under-18 boys hurdles in the National Junior Athletics Championship. I also hold the records for Under-20 Boys 400m hurdles in All Island School Games, John Tarbert Senior Athletics Championships and the National Junior Athletics Championships. In 2023, I also managed to break the record of the 400m hurdles event in the National Youth Athletics Festival.

A step-by-step journey...

I am very happy because this journey is not as beautiful as people see from the outset. All these victories were achieved through hard work. Starting with the inter-house sports meet, I have had the opportunity to reach the international stage. There is a humble joy about it. I am really happy that I can give the best reply and reap the results for the dedication and hard work of the parents as well as my coach.

How is the influence of your coach in your journey?

It is because of my coach I stand where I am now, with these achievements. Maybe if coach Anura didn't spot me and talk to me back then, I believe that an athlete named Ayomal who wins national- and international-level medals would not have been known to our country and its sports loving people. Also, my coach Anura Bandara is a trainer who has produced famous world-class athletes like Sugath Thilakaratne. I consider it a great blessing in my life to be able to train under the expertise of a veteran trainer.

Who are some key figures you’d like to thank?

First of all, I would like to thank my parents. My coach Anura Bandara gives me more support than any member of my family. So I am forever indebted to my coach for all the sacrifices. My school, Central College, Ambagamuwa, also provides a lot of support. I would like to thank the Principal, the Teacher-in-charge of sports and all the teachers. I would also like to extend a special appreciation to my uncle.

What are your future prospects?

My next biggest hope is to participate in the South Asian Games next year and bring victory to Sri Lanka. I am also looking forward to participating in the World Championship Athletics and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.