An Athlete’s ultimate goal is Gold, always
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To reach that elusive target, there is no effort spared for the sacrifice required, that he/she will not make.This piece of precious metal, which embodies the anguish, the pain and the unwavering spirit that drives the Athlete to the limits of human endeavour for the ultimate prize.
In that context, to be left out, unsung, unrecognised and unacknowledged of one’s achievements, is a grave and gross injustice to the never-say-die spirit which blazed to put Sri Lanka on the “Sports Map of the World”.
Chinthana Geethal Vidanage, Gold Medalist in the Men’s 62 Kg Weightlifting, at the Commonwealth Games, deserves all the credit for what he has achieved with dedication and self-driven motivation.
Yet, he was not the “1st Gold Medalist” for our Country at the Commonwealth Games, as incorrectly reported. There were Boxers, Athletes, and Rifle Shooters who had trodden that path before, from as early as 1938.
At the 1938 British Empire Games, as it was then known, Ceylon’s Ansdale William Henricus boxed his way to ‘Gold’, to become the “King of the Empire” in the Featherweight Division.
The 1950 British Empire Games saw the legendary Duncan White burn the track to win ‘Gold’ in the 440-metres Hurdles, to add to his ‘Silver’ at the London Olympics, while Albert Perera and K. Edwin kept him company with ‘Silvers’ in Boxing, in the Bantam and Flyweight Divisions.
Then, Sri Lanka had to wait another 44 long years before her sons and daughters could stand on the victory podium as Champions. At the 1994 Commonwealth Games, the Team with DIG (Rtd) Sumith Liyanage as Manager, returned Sri Lanka’s best performance ever. The inspirational presence and influence of such a versatile sportsman in his own right, Boxing for Ceylon at the 1960 Rome Olympics, Champion Rifle & Pistol Shooter, Cricketer, Equestrian and Motor Racing Driver, would have provided ample motivation for any competitor to strive “for that little bit more”. A veteran Competitor at the highest levels in Sport, his experience, advice and guidance would have been tonic to our team’s efforts.
Such is amply reflected in the Team’s performance, with Rifle Shooters Mali Wickremesinghe and Pushpamali Ramanayake shooting their way to ‘Gold’ in the Women’s Air Rifle Team Event, while Mali Wickremasinghe also clinched an individual ‘Silver’ in the same event. Not to be outdone, the Men’s Team of Lucky Rajasinghe and G.H. Chandrasiri won ‘Silver’ in the 50 M Rifle Team event.
The 1998 Commonwealth Games saw Sriyani Kulawansa win ‘Gold’ in the Women’s 110M Hurdles, while Sugath Thilekaratne won ‘Bronze’ in the Men’s 400M.
Sri Lanka had to wait another 8 years before Chinthana Geethal Vidanage won ‘Gold’ in the Men’s 62 Kg category in Weightlifting.
Historic as it maybe, being our 1st medal in Weightlifting at the Commonwealth Games, yet there were others in whose footsteps Chinthana followed.
Historically too, over the years, it has always been the Rifle Shooters, Athletes and Boxers that did Sri Lanka proud with Medals at the Commonwealth Games, till Chinthana stepped into the circle.
Others, whose achievements too, need to be recognised and lauded in their own right, for having showed the way for others to follow.
“The following outstanding performances by our shooters at SAF/Commonwealth Games/ Championships are on record, and I was privileged to be the Team Manager on all those outings,” said DIG (Rtd) Liyanage
1993 SAF Games, Bangladesh-Â Team of 12 Men + 8 Women: 5 Gold, 5 Silver, 4 Bronze
1994 Commonwealth Games, Vancouver, Canada- Team of 2 Men + 2 Women: 1 Gold, 2 Silver . This Gold was 44 years after the legendary, late Duncan White’s Gold.
1995 Commonwealth Championships, New Delhi- Team of 8 Men + 6 Women: 2 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze
1995 SAF Games, Madras- Team of 14 Men + 8 Women: 5 Gold, 7 Silver, 4 Bronze