XM U20 Championships by KOEAS: Shaping Young Athletes into Tomorrow’s Champions

In sports, development programs play a crucial role in shaping the future of young athletes, providing them with the skills, opportunities, and experiences necessary to excel at the highest levels.

In Cyprus, the development program of the Cyprus Amateur Athletic Association (“KOEAS”) stands out in terms of sports excellence, as is reflected in the champions who have emerged through it and followed a successful international course. This year, with the valuable support of XM, KOEAS gave athletes under 20 another exciting opportunity to hone and test their skills.

KOEAS's development program nurtures the talent of young athletes, preparing them for the rigors of World Athletics competitions and offering them several crucial benefits, ranging from physical conditioning to emotional support. One of the program’s most important offerings is the exposure and experience athletes gain by competing in high-level meetings, organised by KOAES, such as the XM U20 Championships.

This annual event, which focuses on showcasing the abilities of athletes under 20, turned up the heat at Tsirio Stadium in Limassol on July 5th and 6th. Sponsored by XM, its 2024 iteration was bigger and better than ever. This multi-regulated, leading global investment services group, has been steadily supporting KOEAS since 2019 in its efforts to encourage young athletes and strengthen the character-building aspects of athletics.

The 2024 XM U20 Championships once again proved that young athletes can thrive in a structured environment that focuses on their holistic growth. 300 Cypriot athletes under 20 had the opportunity to reach new heights, benchmark their performances, and experience the atmosphere of a highly competitive event. All of the above will help them better prepare for international events, such as the World Athletics U20 Championships in Peru, where the 2024 competition will be held between August 27th and 31st.

Indeed, the U20 Championships have been a stepping-stone for many young athletes who have gone on to achieve significant success in international meetings. Their inspiring stories not only underscore the effectiveness of KOEAS’s development program but also serve as a beacon of hope for the next generation of athletes, showing them what they can achieve with dedication and the right support.

The XM U20 Championships and KOEAS’s efforts play a crucial role in the development of future stars by providing a clear pathway to professional sports. It is important to mention that at this year's XM U20 Championships, Iosif Kesidis broke the Cypriot national record in the Hammer Throw with 79.80m, while four other new championship records were set by Valentina Savva in the Hammer Throw with 67.06m, Marina Hadjicosta in the Discus Throw with 49.30m, and two from Alicia Finis in the 1,500m. with 4:33.84 and the 5,000m. with 17:47.61. Notably, Iosif Kesidis and Valentina Savva are currently the world's top Hammer Throwers in the under-20 category for 2024, boasting throws of 81.07m and 67.87m respectively.

Additionally, several athletes have already qualified for the upcoming World Athletics U20 Championships, showcasing the depth of talent present at this year's event. The qualifiers include:

• Iosif Kesidis, Hammer Throw
• Kyriakos Kaittanis, Hammer Throw
• Valentina Savva, Hammer Throw
• Emilia Kolokotronis, Hammer Throw
• Kyriakos Genethli, Discus Throw
• Dimitris Christofi, Pole Vault
• Stavriana Adamou, 100m. Hurdles
• Antreas Machallekides, Long Jump

By supporting KOEAS's remarkable contributions and sponsoring this year’s championship, XM proves that giving back to society is part of the company’s DNA. With every initiative, XM is pioneering a new era of corporate social responsibility with a vision of a more sustainable world full of equal opportunities. To learn more about the company’s CSR initiatives, you can follow XM Culture on Facebook and @xmculture on Instagram.