Akila Thirunayaki

Akila Thirunayaki Sriseyananthapavan (Tamil: அகிலத்திருநாயகி; born c. 1952), also spelled Akila Thirunayagi, is a Sri Lankan track and field athlete and a retired prison officer. In November 2023, she rose to prominence for winning multiple medals at the age of 71 during the Asia Masters Athletics Championships.[1][2]

Akila Thirunayaki
Personal information
Full nameAkila Thirunayaki Sriseyananthapavan
NationalitySri Lankan
Sport
CountrySri Lanka
SportAthletics
Event(s)400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m
Medal record
Women's Athletics
Representing  Sri Lanka
Asia Masters Athletics Championships
2023 Philippines1500m
2023 Philippines5000m
2023 Philippines800m

Biography

Akila Thirunayaki hails from a humble family background. She grew up in Mulliyawalai village, Mullaitivu in the Northern Province, Sri Lanka.[3]

Career

She claimed two gold medals and a solitary bronze medals representing Sri Lanka at the 2023 Asia Masters Athletics Championships which was held in the Philippines.[4] She was highly applauded for her medal success, given that she achieved the feat at the age of 71. She clinched gold medals in the women's 1500m and 5000m race events and followed it up with a bronze medal achievement in the women's 800m competition.[5] She narrowly missed out on a fourth medal after securing a fourth-place finish in the women's 400m competition during the 2023 Asia Masters Athletics Championships.[6] She was also commended for claiming medals for running barefoot against her opponents in the field.[7]

References
  1. "71 year old woman from Mullaitivu, secures Two Gold Medals in Philippines Athletics Tournament". Hiru News. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  2. "சிங்கள ஊடகங்களில் தலைப்புச் செய்தியாக மாறிய தமிழ் பெண் - குவியும் பாராட்டுக்கள் - தமிழ்வின்". Tamilwin (in Tamil). Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  3. Azarudeen, Mohamed (2023-11-22). "பிலிப்பைன்ஸில் சாதித்த இலங்கையின் 71 வயது வீராங்கனை". ThePapare.com. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  4. Nazahim, Kadhija (2023-11-22). "71-year-old Sri Lankan wins three medals in Philippines". ThePapare.com. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  5. Abeykoon, Gayan (2023-11-20). "Septuagenarian does Lanka proud in Masters Athletics Championships". DailyNews. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  6. "Remarkable Achievement: 71-Year-Old Mullaitivu Resident Clinches Gold at Masters Athletics Championships in the Philippines". asianmirror.lk. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  7. "Golden Glory: 71-Year-Old Eelam Tamil's win defies barriers in the Philippines | Tamil Guardian". www.tamilguardian.com. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
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