South Asia’s fastest man, Yupun Abeykoon, competed in the 100 meters race at the 'Sprint Festival' in Rome, clocking in at 10.21 seconds and securing 4th place. Unfortunately, Abeykoon fell short of the qualifying time for the Paris Olympics, which he was chasing after, set at 10.00 seconds.

However, if Yupun Abeykoon does not meet the required standard in these European competitions, he will have another opportunity to qualify at the Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA) Nationals in Colombo late next month. Sources from Sri Lanka Athletics remain confident in his ability to secure a spot among the elite athletes for the Paris Games.

Italian sprinter Marcell Jacobs emerged victorious in the event, marking his first 100 meters race in Europe this year as he prepares to defend his Olympic title in Paris. Jacobs, who gained global attention with two gold medals in the Covid-delayed Tokyo Games, crossed the finish line with a time of 10.07 seconds, outpacing Abeykoon and the rest of the competition.

Abeykoon's performance highlights the competitive nature of international athletics, with athletes striving to meet stringent qualifying standards for major tournaments like the Olympics. Despite falling short this time, Abeykoon's determination and dedication to his sport remain unwavering as he continues to pursue his athletic goals.

We Keep Going… Trying is worth every single step said South Asia’s fastest man, Yupun Abeykoon after the race.