Fastest Man in South Asia Calls Time on Glittering Career

COLOMBO (News 1st); A chapter in Sri Lankan athletics came to a close on Tuesday (21) after Commonwealth Games medalist and national sprint star Yupun Abeykoon announced his retirement from competitive athletics.

The announcement was made through a statement posted on his official Facebook account, bringing an end to a career that saw him emerge as one of Sri Lanka's most successful and internationally recognized track athletes.

The 31-year-old competed primarily in the men's 100m and 200m events and remains the Sri Lankan national record holder in both disciplines.

Abeykoon established himself as a trailblazer on the international stage, earning several major accolades during his career. Among his most notable achievements was the bronze medal in the men's 100m event at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, a historic feat for Sri Lankan athletics.

His medal haul also includes gold in the men's 100m relay event at the 2019 South Asian Games in Kathmandu, while he was also part of the Sri Lankan team that secured bronze in the men's 100m relay at the 2015 World Military Games.

Adding to his long list of accomplishments, Abeykoon is also the holder of the Asian record in the men's 150m event, further cementing his status as one of the continent's premier sprinters.

He also etched his name into the record books as the first Sri Lankan athlete to compete in a prestigious Diamond League athletics meeting, marking another milestone for the country's track and field history.