Abeykoon vows to win more medals for Sri Lanka

Yupun Abeykoon in action (C)

By Susil Premalal - Reporting from Birmingham

Sprinter Yupun Abeykoon vowed to win more international medals for Sri Lanka after his heroic performance in the 22nd Commonwealth Games track and field events, continued at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, England on Wednesday.    

Abeykoon entered his name in Sri Lankan and Asian Athletic history books forever while becoming the first Asian to win a medal in a 100m event in front of 30,000 strong spectators. 

Abeykoon returned a time of 10.14s to secure the Bronze Medal in the final following a tremendous performance while missing the Silver Medal by a mere 0.01s to Akani Simbine of South Africa.

Kenyan Ferdinand Omanyala won the Gold Medal in this event comfortably with a time of 10.02s.
The 27-year-old also became just the fourth Sri Lankan track and field athlete to win a Commonwealth Games medal after the legendary Duncan White, Sriyani Kulawansha and Sugath Thilakaratne.

“I had a long-term plan to win a Commonwealth Games Medal here, and I have proved it despite the many challenges,” an elated Abeykoon told the Daily Mirror.   

“I must appreciate the patience of many Sri Lankan fans back at home and I am happy that I have rewarded them with this medal,” Abeykoon stressed.

Abeykoon also became the first Sri Lankan to win an athletic medal in 24 years after Sriyani Kulawansha (Women’s 100m) and Sugath Thilakaratne (Men’s 400m) won Silver and Bronze respectively in 1998 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“I had a long discussion with my coach, manager, and other officials prior to the Commonwealth Games and I think it has paid off successfully,” Abeykoon explained.

“I am targeting more medals at the Asian Games and at some of the upcoming international meets and want to have a chat with the Sports Minister and draw my future plans,” he added.
This was an improved performance from Abeykoon after a disappointing World Championships in Oregon, US recently where a mishap in handling Yupun’s Visas and travel hindered his preparation resulting in a first-round exit where he clocked an unimpressive 10.19s.

But this time he was on a mission and despite a fourth-place finish in the semi-finals and qualifying for the final as the second of the two fastest non-automatic qualifiers, Abeykoon preserved his best for the last and delivered a near perfect performance to win the third place. 

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s  para-athlete Palitha Bandara delivered a superlative performance to win the Silver Medal in the Men’s T42 discus throw event.

Bandara also had the satisfaction of going past his personal best twice on his way to the Silver Medal while making his debut at the Commonwealth Games.

“I am really pleased with my performance and especially to achieve this feat on the same day when Yupun Abeykoon won a Bronze Medal is even more pleasing,” Bandara, who is attached to the Sri Lanka Army told the Daily Mirror yesterday.

“I missed out the Bronze Medal by a whisker at the Tokyo Olympic Games but this time I was more determined, and all my hard work has paid off,” he emphasised.  

Bandara secured the Silver Medal with a performance of 44.20m while the Gold Medal in this event went to Davis Alled (51.39m) of Wales and the Bronze Medal was won by his countryman Charles Harrison (54.74m).