From Galewela to Gold: The Incredible Story of Tharushi Abhisheka’s Asian U20 Triumph

On May 28, 2026, at the brand-new Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground in Hong Kong, an 18-year-old from Gampola did something no Sri Lankan athlete had ever done before. Tharushi Abhisheka crossed the finish line of the women’s 1500m event at the 22nd Asian U20 Athletics Championships, looked up at the clock, and saw the time: 4 minutes, 31.41 seconds. It was the moment she had been dreaming of since she first put on her running shoes. She had just won Sri Lanka’s first-ever gold medal in the 1500m event at this championship.

But Tharushi’s journey to that golden moment began far away from the bright lights of Hong Kong. She grew up in the Galewela area of the Matale District, where her family faced significant financial hardship. Despite the struggles, her talent for running was impossible to ignore. At Wickramabahu National School in Gampola, teachers and coaches recognized something special in the young girl and helped bring her to national-level competition.

Her big breakthrough came in 2024. At the All-Island School Games, she shattered a 39-year-old Sri Lankan under-18 record in the 1500m, clocking 4 minutes and 29.97 seconds. The previous record of 4:35.7 had been set back in 1985 by Olympian Dammika Menike. Tharushi was just 16 years old. That same year, she also broke the under-20 record in the same event and set new records in the 800m and 3000m. It was a clear signal: a new star was rising.

A major turning point came when SCOT Campus stepped in to provide her with full sponsorship starting in 2024. This support allowed her to train properly, travel to international competitions, and focus entirely on her athletic dreams without worrying about financial constraints.

In 2025, Tharushi showed the world what she could do. At the 6th Asian U18 Athletics Championships in Saudi Arabia, despite difficult weather conditions, she won gold in the 800m event—Sri Lanka’s first-ever gold in that event at the championships. “We were hampered by bad weather in Saudi Arabia during Asian Youth Athletic Championship. But despite adverse weather conditions I am really glad to win 800m gold medal,” she said after the race.

Then came Hong Kong. On the first day of competition, Tharushi delivered Sri Lanka’s first gold medal of the championships. Facing strong competitors from across Asia, she held her nerve and her pace, crossing the line in 4:31.41 to finish ahead of Iran’s Maryam Baluoutaki (silver) and South Korea’s Song Dawson (bronze). It was Sri Lanka’s first-ever gold medal in the 1500m event at this championship.

But Tharushi wasn’t finished. Three days later, on the final day of competition, she stepped onto the track again for the 800m final. Against a tough field including Japan’s Hanon Sasaki and China’s Yue Deng, she pushed hard and finished third with a new personal best time of 2:07.10 seconds. This bronze medal made her the only Sri Lankan athlete at the championships to win two individual medals.

Tharushi has always credited her success to the people around her. Her coach, Buddhika Nuwan, has guided her development across both the 800m and 1500m events. “My present coach gives superb support and within nearly two years I was able to set up 13 all island records which gave a big boost to me,” she has said. “I always have my parents’ blessing in my all endeavours and had the courage to face difficulties”.

For a nation that has faced many challenges in recent years, Tharushi’s victory means something deeper. It is a reminder that talent, hard work, and determination can overcome any obstacle. Her ultimate goal is clear: “My ultimate goal is to represent Sri Lanka at the Olympics and win a medal,” she has said. “I always follow footsteps of Olympians Dammika Menike and Tharushi Karunaratne”.