The Sri Lankan junior national sailing team successfully completed seven days of the IODA Asian and Oceanian championship in Mumbai, India, on Tuesday.
Sri Lanka’s national sailing champ Yusef Hazari of Royal College, clinched seventh place in the Silver fleet, coming in second in the final race.
“It was my first experience at an international sailing event on seas outside Sri Lanka and it was fantastic,” said Yusef. “I hope to win a podium place next year”.
Despite being the underdogs among 101 participants, the team sailed alongside the champions of the seas including Thailand, the US, Belgium, Japan and Singapore and put up a tremendous fight on water.
For most of the youngsters aged between 13 and 15, this year’s IODA Asian and Oceanian championship was the first international event, as they missed out on the previous two years’ championship due to the Covid-19 pandemic and are determined to win next year.
“Out of all the sporting events we have participated in, this has been the most competitive and exciting one,” said twins Kyoshi and Kyasha Samarakkody. “We’re looking forward to qualify and win at the next one.”
The young Sri Lankans made up for their lack of experience on international waters, with grit and determination. While other teams funded by government bodies, including the army and the navy, participate in at least six international events throughout the year, for the self-funded Sri Lankan team the annual Asian and Oceanian championship is the only international event they participate as a team.
“The more the children participate on different seas against different sailors, the more experience they will gain. We have world champion material in our midst, they just don’t have enough experience,” said Krishan Janaka, Sri Lanka’s sailing coach.
The annual IODA Asian and Oceanian championship is one of the most prestigious Optimist racing events.
The Sri Lankan team was placed in the Silver Fleet and the young sailors did well throughout the individual races with Yusef Hazari placed ninth followed by TharenNanayakkara in 17th place.
In the team racing Sri Lanka’s A team consisting of Yusef Hazari, twins Tharen and Nikhil Nanayakkara, Minuga Hettigamage and Chathuni Marapperuma were pitted against Thailand that won overall second place. Sri Lanka’s B team made up of Akash De Simon, Vinuk Senaratne, twins Kyoshi and Kyasha Samarakkody and Sohanya de Mel went up against the final winning team Singapore.
The last two days of individual racing had trials and tribulations as the young Sri Lankans fought alongside experienced sailors. Yusef Hazari sailed in second place with Kyoshi Samarakkody coming in 10th position and Nikhil Nanayakkara following close behind in 11th place on the last day.
At the end of the seven-day event, Yusef Hazari was placed seventh, Kyoshi Samarakkody took 22nd place, Kyasha Samarakkody in 26th place, Nikhil Nanayakkara in 28th, followed by Tharen Nanayakkara in 30th place. Minuga Hettigamage was placed 35th, Sohanya de Mel 42nd, Vinuk Senaratne 44th, Akash De Simon 45th and Chathuni Marapperuma 47th.
Thailand’s Chanatip Tongglum was the overall winner.
“Although we did not obtain a medal, our sailors have done really well and gained a wealth of experience,” said Sarath Kuragama, COO of the Yachting Association of Sri Lanka.