- In conversation with the man behind Lanka’s sprint king
Today The Daily Morning caught up with Claudio Licciardello, coach of South Asia’s First Sub-10 Sprinter, Yupun Abeykoon. Claudio has a great track record by becoming the European Indoor Champion, he has also been a European Indoor Championships Silver Medalist, has been in the top-8 at European Championships and a two-time Italian national champion. Specialising in the 400 m event, his personal best time is 45.25 s, achieved during the heats at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
At the 2009 European Indoor Championships he won the silver medal in the 400 m, and a gold medal in the 4 x 400 m relay together with teammates Jacopo Marin, Matteo Galvan and Domenico Rao. He also competed at the 2004 World Junior Championships, the 2006 European Championships and the 2008 Olympic Games.
Training under Claudio is Sri Lanka’s ace sprinter Yupun Abeykoon. Yupun holds the Sri Lanka national records in men's 100m, men's 200 m and in men's indoor 60 m. In July 2022, he became the first South Asian to break the 10 s barrier for the men's 100 m event at the Resisprint International competition, with a timing of 9.96 s, in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. Abeykoon is also the first and only Sri Lankan to have competed at the Diamond League. In August 2022, Yupun won the bronze medal in the men's 100 m final at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games after finishing the race in 10.14 s. He also became the first Sri Lankan to win a Commonwealth Games medal in athletics since 1998 (Sriyani Kulawansa and Sugath Thilakaratne). He also became the first Sri Lankan to reach the final of the 100 m event in Commonwealth Games history. In May 2024, Yupun won at the Anhalt Athletic Championship held in Germany, recording 10.16 s with wind at +0.3 at the Men's 100 m sprint. Yupun Abeykoon is currently regarded as the fastest Sri Lankan man as well as fastest South Asian man in men's 100 m and 200 m.
Following are excerpts from the interview :
How are you doing these days? Let’s start with a quick check-in – how have things been for you recently?
These days, I’m feeling motivated and focused. Coaching is always a dynamic and challenging journey, and working with dedicated athletes like Yupun keeps me inspired. It has been a rewarding period as we continue to push the boundaries of performance. Soon, we’ll head to Dubai for a two-week training camp. We need a bit of focused time in a warm climate to fine-tune our preparations and recharge before the next competitions.
How is Yupun Abeykoon’s training progressing? Can you share some insights into Yupun’s current training routine and preparation?
Yupun’s training is progressing exceptionally well. This winter, the team has put in an incredible effort, increasing their workload by nearly 30% across every aspect of training compared to previous seasons. We’ve been focusing on refining his explosive power and efficiency in the first 30 m, which are critical for his sprinting success. Every session is meticulously tailored to enhance his biomechanics, reaction times, and mental preparation. Now, it’s time to ease off slightly, recharge, and prepare for the upcoming competitions with renewed energy and focus.
What sets your camp apart in Europe? Your training camp is known for producing high-speed athletes. What’s the secret behind this success?
Our training camp stands out because of its scientific approach and personalised methodologies. For the past five years, I’ve been working with a team of exceptional professionals – a physiotherapist, a nutritionist, a mental coach, and a biomechanics exper – who represent the very best in their fields. Together, we’ve developed what we call the R.A.C.E. model, a training philosophy designed to ensure continuous improvement while managing and controlling negative variables. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, we can monitor whether an athlete is fatigued or primed to perform at their best. This environment of collaboration and innovation enables our athletes to unlock their full potential.
With your athletes securing leading medals on European tracks, what do you think drives this success?
The success on European tracks is driven by a blend of tradition, innovation, and relentless attention to detail. The infrastructure, access to high-level competitions, and an integrated ecosystem of coaches, sports scientists, and support staff create a fertile ground for elite performances.
South Asia’s first sub-10-second sprinter is under your guidance. How did you overcome the genetic and regional stereotypes to achieve this milestone?
Breaking the sub-10 barrier with Yupun was a groundbreaking achievement that shattered long-standing stereotypes about genetics and geography, especially for athletes from South Asia. It proved that exceptional results are not determined by origin but by dedication, strategic planning, and the right environment. We focused on maximizing his unique strengths – his explosive start, stride efficiency, and mental toughness – rather than being constrained by preconceived notions. This milestone is a testament to discipline, advanced training methodologies, and an unwavering belief in the athlete's potential, demonstrating that barriers can be overcome with the right mindset and approach.
After Marcell Jacobs’ Olympic triumph, European athletes are challenging American dominance. As an Italian coach, how do you view the resurgence of athletics in Europe?
Europe’s resurgence in athletics is incredibly exciting. Marcell Jacobs’ Olympic triumph was a catalyst that inspired athletes and coaches alike. As an Italian coach, I believe this growth stems from a balance of innovation and respect for tradition. The focus on detailed preparation and mental resilience is helping to close the gap with historically dominant regions like the United States.
Your thoughts on Sri Lankan athletics
What is your opinion on the potential of Sri Lankan athletes and the development of local coaches?
Sri Lanka has immense untapped potential in athletics. With the right infrastructure and a focus on grassroots development, Sri Lankan athletes can achieve global success. Empowering local coaches with modern training tools is equally crucial for sustainable growth. In the past, even Italy faced challenges in achieving consistent results in athletics. The problem lay in the foundations. However, sports governing bodies addressed this by launching numerous projects to fund youth sports and successfully integrating athletics into schools. Children are the future, and the path to a generation’s success begins by building a strong grassroots movement. Today, age categories like U-12, U-15, and U18 are heavily supported through federation-led interventions. While infrastructure is essential, investing in children’s development is what truly shapes the future of the sport. Sri Lanka can draw inspiration from this model to build its own athletic success story.
Could you tell us about your coaching diary? What inspired you to create it?
The coaching diary was born from my passion for sharing knowledge and experiences. Over the years, hundreds of coaches and athletes have sought my advice on how to improve. I’ve always enjoyed these conversations, sharing my perspective and insights into their preparation. However, I decided to write this compendium to organise and transfer my thoughts in a structured way. The key message I want to convey is that training is not a one-size-fits-all recipe – it’s a tailored suit. Inside the diary, you’ll find practical advice, insights into training sessions conducted with Yupun, and the philosophy that underpins my approach to coaching. It’s a resource designed to inspire and guide others, emphasizing that effective training requires personalization, creativity, and a deep understanding of the athlete.
What does the diary include, and how do you believe it can benefit Sri Lankan coaches and athletes?
The diary includes practical strategies, drills, and performance benchmarks. It’s a comprehensive guide covering technical training, mental conditioning, and long-term athlete development. At its core, it reflects the philosophy behind my athletes' success – a philosophy rooted in personalised training, relentless attention to detail, and a commitment to continuous improvement. This diary is not just a collection of methods; it’s a blueprint for achieving excellence, empowering coaches and athletes to unlock their highest potential and consistently perform at their best.
Finally, what are your goals and future plans as a coach?
Naturally, I will continue striving to bring my athletes to the top of the world, and this year is packed with exciting milestones. Many of them have important events ahead: Yupun, for instance, aims to reach the finals of the World Indoor Championships – a major challenge as it has been several years since he competed in indoor events. Later in the year, we look forward to the Asian Championships in May and the World Championships in September. It’s safe to say there won’t be a dull moment. At the same time, one of my biggest challenges is creating opportunities for young talents to become professionals. Athletics is not just about medals; it has a profound social impact. One of my primary objectives is to establish an academy for young athletes because, as I often say, they are the future.