Boxer from remote Northern hamlet targets CWG triumph
Vittalis Niklas
There is a saying behind every successful man, there is a woman. In the case of Vittalis Niklas, it’s his sister. His bonding with boxing began when he used to escort his sister to boxing lessons. Now, having mastered the art himself, he is already a history maker becoming the first Northern boxer in the island’s history to get selected.
He will now head to the Commonwealth Games (CWG), starting 28 July, in a debut of dream of desire.
“It is Mr. Dian Gomes, who selected me from Kilinochchi district, the first time. It all started with my sister, she introduced and invited into the sport, during my schooling days. I would simply escort her,” he told the Sunday Times with an audible chuckle, in his first-ever conversation with any print media.
“Mr. Prasad spotted the talent in me and took me also into the game. Along with many others, Mr. Dian was also present. I too had the interest and eagerness in me, but I had doubts whether they will be convinced of me,”
“Neengalum boxing vilayaadalam, thambi (you too can play this sport, younger brother),” he was told when he was screened and spotted.
“They discussed and eventually sent us through the hard grind of grooming, guiding and polished us. Six months since then, I won my first ever national medal at a meet in Royal College, Colombo. That was history for North, as a first timer at that level,” Niklas, having turned 28 early last month, recounted.
Two months ago, getting selected for the national boxing team became a special occurrence for the North based Niklas and his province. Niklas hails from a house in a hamlet. A hamlet, deep off Tharmapuram, Kilinochchi, in Nathan Housing Scheme, Punnaineeravi.
Among the family of seven children, boxing runs in the blood of four of them. However, only Niklas had pursued pugilism seriously. For others, though medal-winners, circumstances have had the final say.
The national level champion is part of an eight member – five boys and three girls – boxing contingency, training in giving their heart and soul and burning the midnight lamp. It’s not simply burning the midnight lamp. He is also sweating and shedding blood and sweat, so that he does not make it an ordinary maiden visit to the western world.
Niklas is also taking the time and toil to frequently shuttle between capital and Kilinochchi as the concrete jungle is equipped with facilities and resources.
“It was hidden in me since my school days itself. I used to beat, box and take down my class and batch mates,” said the boxing behemoth on a light note, speaking from a church due to coverage instability.
The trip to Birmingham, England, where CWG 2022 will be held, would be his first trip to that part of the world for a competition. Prior to this, the pugilist has only been to China on a training camp.
But to take wings to the queen’s land, and to meet fellow boxers at Birmingham, would be his very first time at a serious competition. He, in fact, revealed the Birmingham berth came to him only after he delivered blows and beat many boxers, with international exposure. And that’s how CWG fell into place.
“I clinched gold in nearly half-a-dozen local meets. In the trials also, I won against the tri-forces,” he detailed out the modus operandi in his road to a first global level meet.
“Till I win that medal, I’m still a bit nervous,” Niklas, to battle it out in the Middleweight 71kg category, openly admitted.
Albeit, he does not have much overseas exposure, he still has that maturity and common sense until the purpose is achieved there is still a long road ahead.
“It is delightful news for me. But the euphoria and ecstasy would explode into me only when mission accomplished,” an old student of Piramanthanaru Maha Vidyalayam, asserted.
“Two months ago, we got selected that eight of us will be going to Birmingham,”
Until he was called and notified regarding the visa procedure, it had not hit him.
“Only after I handed over the documents for the formalities, I knew it was locked and loaded”.
He praised and credited several names of coaches profusely. To be flown in a fully paid sponsorship, he adulates and analyses the greats of the game namely – Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. But two of his personal favorites are Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
Responding to what needs to be done for the development of the sport in that region, he laid out, “Boxing needs to be introduced from school level itself. If awareness and promotion is done, this sport too will take off in style”.
The CWG candidate said the country’s most watched game of cricket itself, is not famous in his region. Majority of the sports are not played by all.
“There is energy, interest and enthusiasm among the youth, it only needs to be brought out. We need more and more competition to be held prominently. Host these games widely,” he called for development.
They say there is no shortcut to success. His life journey so far, could be cited as an example for that. He actually has taken the time, trouble, tears and travails in taking that proper process and procedure. That seems to be his route to where he is now. A career, which started small locally, and is about to go big globally. Globally at a multinational stage that matters.