Nidula Jayawardena aims for Tokyo 2020

2314
Nidula Jayawardena

The athletes of Gateway College were applauded for their spirit of sportsmanship both on and off the track as they recorded the highest medal tally (88 in all) and secured the highest number of age group championships at the Inter International Schools’ Athletics Championships (ISAC) conducted in February.

Contributor – Gateway College Colombo Media Unit

Gateway Athletes went on to prove their dominance in track and field by being among the top 5 schools in all major competitions they participated in this year, the highlight of it being that 4 of their athletes qualified to represent Sri Lanka at the Junior South Asian Athletics Championship.

Nidula Jayawardena, a spectacular 400m runner himself, was the captain of the Gateway College Athletics team for the past year. Coming from a family of sports achievers, with his father being a cricket coach, Nidula says his love towards athletics started when he was at his previous school.

Q: How did you start your athletics career?

A: It all started when I was in my previous school which was Oasis International School. Miss Janaki and Miss Thilini exposed us to circuit meets and it was a good experience for us. My first coach was Sir Susiripala and he really helped me.

Q: How is the support you get from your family?

A: My family is very supportive. My mom gives me all the nutrition I need, while my father looks into my fitness levels as he is also a cricket coach. All in all I couldn’t have asked for better.

The 1st gold medal he received at national level was for the Under 17 Boys 400m at the All Island School Games 2014. Nidula gained qualification for the World Youth Athletics Championship in 2015 by recording a splendid timing of 49.05s in the 400m. To achieve this feat he went on to break the record for the Under 18 Boys 400m at the Junior National Championship 2015 set by one of Sri Lanka’s finest athletes, Manoj Pushpakumara of A. Rathnayake Central College Walala in 2001.

Q: Tell us about the record you established at the Junior National Championship and the significance of qualifying for the World Youth Athletics Championship.

A: Well last year was my 2nd year after I began my career with the 400m, and I had always wanted to qualify for the youth championships. I was able to go over the qualification standard at the Junior National Championships, which was unbelievable. I never thought I could do so, it was a wonderful moment. And to have known that I had just broken a record which was 14 years old added more value to what I achieved.

Q: What is your most memorable moment in your athletics career?

A: It would always be the All Island School Games in the year 2014. It was my 1st year after I took up the 400m, having placed only 3rd in the semi-final I managed to come back really strong to win the final. It was such a wonderful moment.

Currently holding the position of Deputy Head Prefect at Gateway, Nidula is an individual who balances his studies well with his athletics career and other extracurricular activities.

Q: How do you balance your studies with your athletics career?

A: Well it’s always tough and I really wasn’t able to perform well at recent exams. However, it has always been a challenge to balance studies and sports. It’s key that you identify your weaknesses and try to compensate off your free time, as you would be missing out a lot otherwise.

Q: How do you prepare yourself before a meet?

A: The day before I watch a lot of races and motivational videos to control the butterflies in my stomach. Pressure is something that’ll always be there but recently it has been a part of life and makes me a stronger person all in all.

Nidula speaks highly about his teammates at Gateway and says that it was a wonderful experience to have led his team to come back very strongly after many years at ISAC 2016.

Q: Share with us some of the experiences of representing the Gateway College Athletics team.

A: For me the best experience was this year’s ISAC, it was a wonderful experience to have led a team to losing by only 2 points.

Q: What are your thoughts on having captained the Gateway College Athletics team to a successful year?

A: The memories made would always remain with me. To lead the college athletics team was something I was looking foward to. And I am really grateful to the best TIC Ms. Lakna Waravita for the amazing support. And together along with the coaches we were able to have a wonderful season.

Nidula’s main man of motivation is Usain Bolt and his dream is to gain qualification for Tokyo 2020.

Q: Who is your favourite athlete and why?

A: My favourite athlete is the big man himself. I look up to him as my source of motivation. And it’s always amazing to see how relaxed he is and manages to deliver at all times when needed the most.

Q: Lastly, is there anybody you need to make a special mention of and let us also know your future plans?

A: I would like to thank my parents for the support they give me, and for all my best friends, my coaches and everyone who have supported me so far. My aim is to run for Sri Lanka at the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020 and make everyone around me proud.