Yupun set to compete in two Asian Meets

Yupun Abeykoon

Tharushi Karunarathna

Birmingham Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Yupun Abeykoon has accepted Sri Lanka Athletics’ (SLA’s) request to participate in two international athletic championships in 2025.
However, Hangzhou Asian Games gold medallist Tharushi Karunarathna has declined to compete in these two international events.
Sri Lanka is set to participate in the fourth South Asian Senior Athletic Championship in Ranchi, India, from May 3-5 and at the 26th Asian Senior Athletic Championship in Gumi, South Korea, from May 27-31.
SLA Secretary Saman Gunawardana told the Daily Mirror that steps have been taken to accept the request made by Abeykoon to participate in these two international athletics competitions.
In addition, Sri Lanka will also compete in the IAAF World Athletic Championship in Tokyo, Japan, from September 13-21.
Abeykoon missed the opportunity to participate in the Asian Games (2022 Hangzhou), Asian Athletic Championship (2022 Bangkok) and World Athletic Championship (2023 Budapest, Hungary) due to a foot injury.
Abeykoon has not participated in any international-level competitions since winning the 100m bronze medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. He has only participated in a few Grand Prix competitions in the Asian region before. He is currently regarded as the fastest Sri Lankan man as well as the fastest South Asian man in the men’s 100m and 200m events.
Abeykoon, who is in Italy, has already secured the necessary visa to travel from Italy to India for the South Asian Senior Athletic Championship.
Tharushi, after winning the Hangzhou Asian Games 400m women’s gold medal, left for the United States in 2024 on a sports scholarship, and the 2028 Olympic Games will be her target.
Tharushi has verbally informed SLA that she will not be able to participate in the two international events, and in response, SLA has requested her to inform it in writing.