Sri Lanka_ The air mixed with competitiveness and equal excitement amongst 16 Asian countries brought a rush of adrenaline and the spirit of sportsmanship out of the contingents of athletes born between 2004-2007, as they huddled under their national flags, hoping to bring glory to their motherlands.
The 20th edition of the Asian U20 Athletics Championship, organized by the Asian Athletics Association, was held from the 4th to the 7th of June 2023 at the Yecheon Stadium in Yecheon, South Korea, where Sri Lanka emerged 7th on the medal table with two gold medals, 1 silver medal, and two bronze medals.
Japan secured the number one spot on the medal table with a total of 23 gold, silver, and bronze medals collectively while China came in a close second with 19 medals. Similarly, India proved to be a group of strong contenders, securing an overall amount of 19 medals yet coming in third place on the medal table right after China.
Tharushi Karunarathna, Jayeshi Uththara, Vinod Ariyawansha, and Shehan Diranga made up the team representing Sri Lanka at the International meet.
Karunaratne secured two medals; a gold medal and a silver medal, in the Women’s 800m event and the Women’s 400m event respectively. Fellow teammate Jayeshi Uththara bagged a Bronze medal in the Women’s 400m event in the same race.
Malith Yasiru won a bronze medal in the Men’s Triple Jump event after Japan and China, a commendable feat amidst high stakes. Categorizing events between the two sexes, the only mixed event was the 4x400m relay, in which Sri Lanka was placed first, bagging another gold medal by the team comprising Tharushi Karunarathna, Jayeshi Uththara, Vinod Ariyawansha, and Shehan Diranga. The young Sri Lankan athletes were also able to secure a new national record of 3.25.41 minutes at the 4x400m relay, a milestone achievement in their budding athletic careers.
