Hansaja Uyanwatte the athletic star from Kandy

Kalpadith Hansaja Uyanwatte is a fifteen-year-old emerging track star from the Hill Capital, Kandy. This Lexicon International sprinter developed a liking towards athletics when he was in Grade 6 class. Initially, with his father’s guidance, he managed to grab first, second and third places at the Inter-house Sports Meet. Subsequently, Uyanwatte has taken part in Kandy District Athletic Meets, competing in the 80m, 100m, and Long Jump, and managed to achieve merit awards.

Since 2016 this talented teenager has been working hard under the guidance of Sanjeewa Weerakkody – a Level-One international athletic coach in Kandy. Uyanwatte first marked himself as an emerging talent, at the 2022 Kandy District Inter-International Schools Meet. In this meet, competing in the under-16 level, he managed to run the 400m race in 53.0 sec and the 100m in 11.9 sec, placing first in both events.

Representing his school at the 2022 Zonal Athletic Meet – organized by the Department of Education – Uyanwatte, won first place in the 300m Hurdles finishing the race in 44.8 sec, and two second-place wins in the 400m with a time of 56.3 sec and the 200m with a time of 25.9 sec, gaining eligibility to compete at the provincial level.

Despite placing second in the 400m at the zonal level, this young talent managed to improve his performance at the 2022 Central Province Athletic Meet. Finishing in just 52.5 sec he secured first place in the 400m, and in the 300m Hurdles with a time of 40.8 sec. Uyanwatte was adjudged the Under-16 Best Athlete for his outstanding performance at this meet.

At the 2022 Sir John Tarbet Athletic Meet, he ran a 400m Hurdles in 55.44 sec to finish second, and the 400m in 51.47 sec, grabbing third place. Uyanwatte was awarded the Senior Tarbet Colours Certificates for both his performances at this meet.

Continuing his succession, this teenager kept improving and grabbed a couple of more wins at the 2022 All-Island Schools Athletic Championship. He won second place in the 400m; this time clocking a 50.41 sec, and third place in the 300m Hurdles by finishing the race in 38.89 sec.

Through determination, dedication & hard work, Uyanwatte hopes to perform better in 2023.