Believing in yourself is the key to success – coach-Claudio Liccardello

Before 2019, Yupun did not have a great run in the 100m. After leaving to Italy in 2015, Yupun struggled with injuries, and during 2018-19, he thought of giving up athletics. He was fortunate to meet former Olympian from Italy, Claudio Liccardello, who kept Yupun going, pushing, planning and executing with great coaching, to guide him to be one of the top sprinters in the world.

“When I saw Yupun a few years ago, I saw something special in him. I told him to focus on what he wants to do and work for the dream,” said Liccardello. “I’m very proud and emotional as it was a dream come true. We planned all this for many years to get a medal here, and we did it in a nice way. He was the last to qualify for the final, and believing in yourself was the reason to win. After the semi-final, I told Yupun: ‘believe in yourself because I believe in you.’ Now he has the Bronze round his neck and we can prepare for the future,” said the coach.

“I think this year we achieved a new level (10.0 and 9.96 seconds), but work is not done yet. We have much more work to do and he needs to be consistently at the top, and that is the way how to win a medal. His next dream is to reach the final of the Asian Games, and we will work towards it,” said the coach.

Africa’s fastest man from Kenya, Ferdinand Omanyala won the Gold medal clocking 10.02 seconds, while defending champion from 2018, Akani Simbine of South Africa, won the Silver medal in 10.13 seconds in the 100m.