Sri Lanka’s sprint sensation and most promising athlete of the recent past, Yupun Abeykoon has announced his withdrawal from the Asian Games set to begin in China on 23 September. This decision comes as a result of an injury he sustained during a recent race in Italy, which has hindered his full recovery.

Yupun Priyadarshana Abeykoon, who has been a shining star in Sri Lankan athletics, was poised to represent the nation with great pride and dedication at the Asian Games. However, his unwavering commitment to his sport, coupled with a deep sense of responsibility for his health, has led him to make this difficult decision. He is currently the fastest man in South Asia.

“I am truly devastated that I won’t be able to compete in the Asian Games this year,” said Yupun Abeykoon.

“I was looking forward to representing Sri Lanka on the international stage, the injury has not healed as quickly as I had hoped. I believe it is in my best interest to focus on my recovery and come back stronger in the future.”

The Athletics Association of Sri Lanka is now working on the necessary procedures to officially withdraw Yupun Abeykoon from the Asian Games 2023. Despite this setback, Abeykoon remains optimistic about his future in athletics and is determined to make a triumphant return to competitive racing once he has fully recovered.

In a recent post on his official social media accounts Yupun noted: “ Looking ahead, the Paris Olympics next year is a monumental milestone in my sporting journey. Every competition, experience gained, and record achieved has been in preparation for this ultimate goal. Tomorrow, I will commence training and treatment once again. In an event as competitive as the 100 m, the stakes are high. While we are accustomed to taking calculated risks each time we compete, this time we have chosen not to risk a potential re-injury, keeping our focus firmly on the Paris Olympics next year .”