The Once Fastest Schoolboy in South Asia
Former Schoolboy prodigy and Triple Commonwealth Youth Gold medalist Shehan Ambepitiya who turns 35 today, was once dubbed the "Fastest Man in South Asia".
Do you remember the 'Golden Boy?' The Sprinter who blazed the track for as many as 3 Gold medals at the Youth Commonwealth Games in Pune in the year 2008? He's none other than Shehan Ambepitiya, who celebrates his 35th birthday today.
Humble Beginnings
Born on this day in 1990, Shehan Sandaruwan Ambepitiya comes from a very humble background but his potential was first spotted by Sprint Legend Sunil Gunawardene (seen in cover photo), his first sprint coach at a Training Camp and since then, has been instrumental towards his success in the years to come.
Having studied at President's College Kotte, he was later enrolled at Gateway College, with the help of Coach Sunil and his athletic ability which proved to be an important move for he had access to education in English medium, and better facilities to harness his hidden talent which he first discovered in a Sports Meet.
The Dream Run in 2008
Shehan Ambepitiya had a dream year in 2008 in his final year in school, making him one of the most decorated junior athletes of all time for Sri Lanka.
He broke 3 Games records when he won the Gold medals in his events at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune, a Silver medal for 100m at the Asian Youth Championship in Jakarta and also became the first Sri Lankan finalist at the World Junior Athletics Championship in 2008 for the 100m event.
In that year, he was the 7th Fastest Junior Sprinter in the World, establishing his name as a bright prospect for the future. He also won the Gold medal in 100m at the South Asian Games in 2010, dubbing him the "Fastest Man in South Asia" at the time.
A core memory for the young Sri Lankan sprinter would be the time when all the spectators from India were cheering for him, their South Asian brother who was the only Asian Athlete in the 100m Final in 2008, in which he won the Gold.
Overseas Training
Following his success as a Sprinter before the 2012 Olympics, he was granted a Scholarship to train under Glean Mills, the Jamaican coach for Usain Bolt which turned out to be a great learning experience but unfortunately, proved too much for his level as a young athlete.
Even though he did not compete in the Olympics, he won one last Gold medal at the SAG in 2016 for the 4x100m relay before hanging his boots in 2019. Post-retirement, he is a Committee Member of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka and has been an employee at TV Derana.
Here's to wishing Shehan on his 35th birthday today!