Sports
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invincible spirit wants to go on Are speculation and empty promises all our “Golden Boy’s” going to end up with?Not knowing what to expect from the newly heralded champ, I was quite pleasantly surprised to meet the soft spoken, casually dressed, modest young man. “There’s not much awareness about weightlifting in our country; it’s not like cricket or athletics. So I didn’t expect much fanfare or recognition. However, atleast now after my win, I’d like to help increase awareness and help promote weight lifting as a sport here, and encourage others also to take it up” said Chinthana passionately. “I haven’t been told anything in person about receiving any money or property etc., but, I’ve heard rumours and various people have told me that I might be getting this and that” he said matter of factly. The second of four boys, Chinthana has been the main bread winner for his family since his father passed away 20 years ago. Having started his schooling at the Sevamuktha Maha Vidyalaya in Polonnaruwa, he later shifted to Royal College (also in Polonnaruwa) as a result of passing his year five scholarship examination. Born and bred in Pandugasdamana, Monarathenna, his widowed mother, his brothers and himself have seen many hard times and seem to know quite well what it’s like to have to do without. His determination and strong will to give his all into whatever he does, is most likely a direct result of his upbringing. His interest in weightlifting had begun when he was still in school, when he was just 15 or 16, he recalled. Many national record holders like A.G.D.L. Jayasinghe and H.P.A.R. Bandara also come from Polonnaruwa and also many of his batch mates had also shared his interest in weightlifting. So, they had all trained together under their coach, former national weightlifter Kumudu Kumara Silva. Initially, he had only trained once a day, as although he was very committed to the sport and had a genuine linking for it, he hadn’t yet taken it seriously, he explained. As for the secret behind Polonnaruwa’s success at producing many national lifters, Chinthana said fondly that “it must be because we have a very good coach at home and that there’s a strong sense of team spirit amongst the lifters at home.” After being placed second at the National Meet in 2000, he was selected to the National Pool for the South Asian Federation (SAF) Games (which were eventually postponed). They all trained in Kandy where they were given free access to the necessary training facilities and accommodation by the Kandy YMCA, facilitated by the YMCA Sports Chairman S.A. Wijewickrama. Air Vice Marshal Lalaka Pieris had requested coach Silva to recommend five of his weightlifters who’d be willing to join the Air Force to represent them at meets and competitions etc., In response to his request the Coach had recommended five of his lifters (including Chinthana) to join the Force. A school-leaver at the time, Chinthana joined the Air Force in 2001, where he was released from all Air Force duties and given complete freedom to train and attend A/L tution classes, as he had to re-sit his exams. In addition, he was also paid a regular Air Force salary each month for representing them, he added. From 2001, right until January 20 this year, he was a part of the Air Force, he said. At the time he left for the Commonwealth Games last month, he had lifted more than the reigning Commonwealth Games Silver medallist and also held the national records for the 62kg, 69kg and 77kg weight categories with his personal best at 268kgs (the curent national record), he said. He also ranked number one in his weight category at the onset of the Games, he said. Finally on March 17, closing in on 6pm, Chinthana heaved a 271kgs for his Gold! The second youngest of the eight Sri Lankan lifters that went for the Games, Chinthana said that his fellow team mates were always genuinely concerned for one another. So much so that “they were more excited than I was when I won” he said with a smile. Waiting to go back home this week, where his family and village are preparing to proudly welcome home their hero, Chinthana, together with the whole team is also due to meet the President later this week. “Everyone from my hometown has always been supportive of me and encouraged me on,” he added. Looking to conquer the 2008 Olympics next, Chinthana is determined to do whatever it takes, even if it means that he would have to train around the clock, live at the gym and work very hard to keep his weight under control (as its imperative in order to remain in the same weight category). It’s no point participating in competitions for the sake of taking part. If you participate in something, you must think you can win, if not it’s just a waste of people’s money, he said. “I always think that I am the best in the world so that even if I don’t win, I know for sure that I’ve given it everything I’ve got,” says the invincible spirit! |
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