I trained hard for years, and it paid off, says Yupun | Daily News

I trained hard for years, and it paid off, says Yupun

Yupun Abeykoon
Yupun Abeykoon

The South Asia's fastest man Yupun Abeykoon who set a new record with a time of 9.96 seconds to create history on Sunday) . After his record timing in Switzerland Abeykoon said .I worked hard for years and it paid off .He further said I am the new member of Sub ten club ,the first sub ten in South Asia and the owner of the 10th sub ten in the history of Asia.

Abeykoon of the Sri Lanka Army further said I pay tribute to the people who were with me .I honoured those who trusted me .Love you so much said champion sprinter Abeykoon .

The .Olympian sprinter Yupun Abeykoon dazzled in Switzerland, becoming the first South Asian sprinter to clock under 10 seconds in the 100 metres, as he clocked 9.96 seconds and set a new South Asian Record.

On May 25, just three days after his South Asian record in the 200m, Yupun dazzled in Germany when he clocked a sizzling 10.06 seconds (running against -0.2 wind). He is in good form while most important is he will get more International meets especially in the European circuit to get more exposure

Yupun Abeykoon had a dream run in the last two years. He has improved tremendously in the 100m and becomes the first South Asian sprinter to qualify for the Olympic Games. He then became the first Sri Lankan sprinter to compete in the prestigious Diamond League.Taking part in the Diamond League was one of the dreams of his career and was able to achieve that before the last Olympics .

The Italy based sprinter 27 year old Abeykoon won the 100m final beating Cuban Mena Reynier (9.96) and France’s Meba Michael (10.00). six out of the eight athletes clocked their personal best.. The race was very fast while Abeykoon finished the race after a good battle . This was a “D” grade race while athletes ran their maximum effort to finish this race . The senior Vice President of Sri Lanka Athletics G.L.S Perera said Yupun ran his personal best to set up a new record and he can improve this timing before the Commonwealth Games and we can expect a medal from him at the Commonwealth Games

Yupun Abeykoon had earlier run 10.04 seconds, the fastest 100m time under any condition, when he ran a wind aided race last May, which has now been broken with better timing in Switzerland . Trained under coach Claudio Liccardello Abeykoon takes part in his pet events 100m and 200m .

Yupun Abeykoon already created history . He became the first South Asian sprinter to qualify for the World Athletics Championship. He is ranked 37th in the Road to World Championship list where the top 56 sprinters are selected.

Earlier in May he set records in the 100m (now broken) and 200m in South Asia.Yupun Abeykoon has very rare qualities while he has lot of problems such as finance and lack of sport equipment. .

Daily News learnt that Sri Lanka's Sport Ministry has decided to provide Yupun Abeykoon expenses for the nest World Championship as well as Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England .Sri Lanka Athletics already discussed this matter . Yupun Abeykoon, Nilani Ratnayake and Gayanthika Abeyratne qualified to take part at the World Championships and Abeykoon is expected to join Sri Lanka team straight from Italy . Sajith Jayalal the experienced coach will accompany the Sri Lanka athletes for world championships.


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