Kahingala’s weightlifting quest
A youngster who was a black belt in Karate and who later took up other sports disciplines such as athletics, hockey and rugby is now a reputed instructor and international referee.
Poorna Kahingala’s life in sports took a dramatic turn in June 1992, when he was encouraged by the then national coach of the Sri Lanka Weightlifting to take up weightlifting. Agreeing to try out the sport, in his first session, to the surprise of the coach, Kahingala lifted 40kg snatch. The coach had felt that his body structure and reaction speed was ideally suitable for weightlifting. The lad had sensed a bright future lay ahead of him in the sport and had given up all the other sports he is involved in and concentrated on weightlifting.
Going from strength to strength, after a few months of training in December 1992 Kahingala won a gold medal at the Junior National Weightlifting Championship and set a national record lifting 147kgs. He won the event in three consecutive years from 1992 to 1994. He emerged the champion, National Weightlifting from 1993 to 94. Participating in the National Sports Festival from 1993 to 96 Kahingala won the first place in 1993 and 94 lifting 185 and 200kgs respectively. Coming second in 1995 and 96 lifting 227.5 and 215kgs. He also won the first place and occupied the second place at the National Weightlifting championships in 1994, 95 and 96.
Having joined the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) on the invitation of Group Captain Lalaka Peiris, Kahingala had a big hand in the SLAF winning the National Weightlifting Shield in 1995 and 96. He was awarded SLAF colours in both years.
Having reached international standard as an athlete in the field of weightlifting in 1995 and 96, he won a bronze medal at the South Asian Games in 1996 lifting a weight of 132kgs. in the clean and jerk events. It was very unfortunate that this talented athlete never got exposure in more international events.
Reaching the level of a South Asian Gold/Silver medal winner lifting 250-265kgs. Kahingala wasn’t able to participate in the SA Competition at that level and this made Lanka’s medal hope decide to begin his career as a coach in the field. Having felt it was time to move from being competitive to become a coach, share his knowledge and experience with others in weightlifting.
Within a few years of starting a career as a coach, he was able to establish himself as a reputed coach in Sri Lanka. It was an achievement as with a large number of contenders, it was difficult for a new comer in the field to be established.
Kahingala had coached weightlifters in schools (Royal and Veluwana MV) as well as at national level with success, and helped them to develop their abilities.
Kahingala has a proud record as a national coach. Under his wing Sri Lanka won one gold, three silver and three bronze medals at the South Asian Games in 2006. Medals were also won at the 2010 Commonwealth Games (one silver and a bronze) and a silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. In 2012 Sri Lanka won a gold and two silver medals at the Youth Asian Championship and won seven gold, five silver and two bronze medals at the South Asian Games in 2012.
This successful coach believes that Sri Lanka was able to win more medals from 2006 due to the fact that he was able to motivate the athletes to compete at international events by encouraging them to believe in themselves and their ability to be victorious. This mindset that he encouraged in our weightlifters helped them to win medals.
With an idea of taking weightlifting to the rural youth of the island Kahingala has initiated a programme. He is not only involved in coaching the youths, but also finding sponsors who would assist these athletes, from poor rural families to develop their talents.
He is also involved in anti-doping campaigns to establish clean sports in Sri Lanka.
For his achievements as a coach, Kahingala was appointed an international referee and a marshal at the South Asian Games and was selected an executive committee member of the National Olympic Committee and a Vice President of South Asian Weightlifting Federation.