Olympian Yupun eyes Asian Games, World C’ships medals
Sri Lanka’s and South Asia’s fastest man, Yupun Abeykoon, will have a shot at his next target at next year’s World Athletic Championships in Hungary and the postponed Asian Games in China. The Olympian said these on the sidelines of his inaugural training camp – Train with Yupun – he had for 50 budding sprinters, at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday.
“Meets planned are being done as usual. Our main target is the Asian Games, which would be preceded by the World Athletic Championships, Asian Athletic Championships and other main meets within Europe. Hence our main aim is to run in the best times”, the Commonwealth Games bronze medalist, turning 28 on December 31, disclosed.
“Prior to going to the World Championships, we have a qualifying standard to reach. This time, it is 10.00 seconds. But then again, with the timings I’ve produced, I’m within those rankings. However, ahead of going to those we have to sweat out in some meets and that would be decided by the meets planned by my coach and manager of meets,” the sprinter explained.
The World Athletic Championships website read the qualifying standards for the 100m sprint at Oregon 2022 as 10.05 seconds for men and 11.15 seconds for women. For Budapest 2023, the bar has been raised to 10.00 seconds and 11.08 seconds respectively.
Train with Yupun
During his few hours of in-person coaching session, he briefed and demonstrated in detail about the various drills to tip, tricks and techniques relevant to sprint running.
“Before I came itself, my team had organised this ‘Train with Yupun’ programme. That was prompted by my experience and training I gained in Europe. The overseas guidance and direction being passed on to the next generation will be of great importance to these youngsters, going forward”.
Yupun Abeykoon, the cynosure of his mentees eyes - Pix by Nilan Maligaspe
After sending out an open invitation, they had received an overwhelming response and eventually had to cut it short to a certain number. Speaking to reporters afterwards, he said, “This was the inaugural time we kicked this off. This is almost certain to repeat. Considering the importance, today was only a one-off session and a start since I’m tight with time”.
“We need to be on par with the world and bring elusive feats to our nation,” he said patriotically.
Abeykoon, leaving the island next week after a month-long stay, went on saying that giving back to the society is one part of his journey.
“I’ve always been very keen to share my knowledge and story of how I arrived at this level. I’m also willing to share my knowledge and experience to those eager, hence this is one such big opportunity”.
Commenting on the launch of his own academy, he said, “I still haven’t thought about launching my own academy. It demands a big investment. It should be at a place armed with the facilities and technology. I’m never going to do it for the namesake. The Sports Ministry too might have to step in with their sponsorship to athletes, therefore it requires all of those. However, it is needed for the future of sportspeople of Sri Lanka”.