UAE, May 14 (ePRESS) – At an age when many athletes step away from competition, former Sri Lankan high jumper Roshan Rajoo is reaching new heights again, chasing international Masters glory after a remarkable comeback that has already produced gold medals, a meet record and renewed hopes of success at the 2026 World Masters Athletics Championship.
The 41-year-old athlete from St. Anne’s College has turned back the clock with a series of impressive performances on the international Masters circuit, proving that determination and discipline can still deliver success long after an athlete’s prime years.
Rajoo first emerged as one of Kurunegala’s brightest athletics talents in 2003 when he clinched the high jump gold medal at both the National School Games and the National Sports Festival. His achievement was even more significant as he established a district record in Kurunegala which still remains unbeaten.
His performances earned him national recognition and a place in Sri Lanka’s team for the prestigious Asian Grand Prix Athletics Championship in 2004, where he competed against some of the region’s leading athletes.
However, life later took him away from full-time athletics. Rajoo moved to the United Arab Emirates where he built a professional career as an accountant. Yet the passion for athletics never disappeared.
While balancing work commitments overseas, he remained closely connected to the sport by coaching young high jumpers at a local athletics club. Gradually, the competitive fire returned and Rajoo stepped into the Masters athletics arena, competing in the highly competitive 40-44 age category where technique, timing and experience become crucial factors.
His comeback quickly produced results.
In 2025, Rajoo won the silver medal in the high jump event at the UAE Club Championship in the 35+ category. But just as momentum was building, an injury forced him to abandon his campaign at the Asian Masters Athletics Championship.
The setback, however, only strengthened his determination.
After recovering from injury, Rajoo returned strongly in 2026 and produced one of the finest seasons of his Masters career. Representing Sri Lanka, he won the high jump gold medal in the 40+ division at the International Open Masters Games in Abu Dhabi.
He then continued his impressive run at the Malaysian Masters Athletics Championship where he secured another gold medal while also setting a new meet record, underlining his growing dominance in the age category.
Rajoo’s latest success came at the Maldives Masters Meet on May 7 where he once again captured the high jump gold medal against strong regional competition.
Now the experienced athlete is preparing for an even bigger challenge. His main target is the 2026 World Masters Athletics Championship scheduled to be held in Daegu next August.
Before that major assignment, Rajoo will compete at the Singapore Masters in June as he continues his preparation for the world stage.
For Rajoo, the journey is no longer only about medals. It is also about proving that age is not a barrier for athletes willing to continue dreaming, training and competing at the highest possible level.
