Lifting to glory

Reflecting on the life and achievements of 2006 Commonwealth Games Weight Lifting Gold Medalist Chintana Vidanage, one is struck by the fact that they encapsulate the stories of many talented sportsmen from the back woods of the country. Vidanage who hails from Palugasdamana in Polonnaruwa first got involved in the sport at the age of sixteen. His first club was the Polonnaruwa Weight Lifting Club and the coach Kumudu Kumara Silva. Practicing with damaged equipment was not the ideal thing for this determined youngster who made it his aim to reach for the stars despite the difficulties. Per ardua ad astra!

A change of scene was called for and Chintana received a ready response from the YMCA Kandy where he was able to improve his skills under the guidance of Messrs S.A. Wijewickrema and R.B. Wickremasinghe. A product of Royal College Polonnaruwa, Chintana offered Biology, Physics and Chemistry for his A/L Exam in 2003 and passed in all there subjects. As luck would have it, he missed out on a university career by a mere 1. Entreaties made on his behalf to the Chairman of the University Grants Commission were of no avail.

Fortunately, Chintana was able to continue with his chosen sport as he had become a member of the Air Force Weight Lifting Pool and was stationed at Hingurakgoda. In the meantime, Chintana had begun making waves in the iron sport. He was the National Champion in 2002. Taking part in his first Commonwealth Games in the same year, he finished fifth. He added the SAF Gold to his steadily bulging bag in 2004.

The year 2006 was his Annus Mirabilis. The SAF Gold that year was for starters. His crowning moment came in Melbourne when he outsmarted the other contestants to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. This was a massive achievement. Not resting on his laurels, he also won gold at the Weight Lifting Championships in Samoa. His focus right now is to do well at the Asian Championships in Japan early next year, as this is a qualifying event for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

His success in Melbourne saw him overburdened with gifts. A flat and a cash award from the President, a car from United Motors and cash from Sri Lankans domiciled in Victoria. In fact, these Sri Lankans, headed by David Crusz, replenish his coffers from time to time. When he suffered an elbow injury last year, treatment for the injury was arranged in Australia by these lovers of Sri Lankan sport.

More importantly, these Sri Lankans got in touch with Cricketer Aravinda de Silva who secured employment for him at Brandix. Employed in the human resources division of the company, his every need is looked after and he is given time off for training. The Brandix “Package” also includes payment for a Pakistani coach for Chintana. The Pakistani was earlier Sri Lanka’s National Coach in 2003. He began working with his star lifter in March 2007 and with continue till the Olympics.

Will Chintana call it a day after the Beijing Olympics? Not likely, given his talent, dedication to the sport and his determination to win more medals at the highest level. The 2012 Olympics are a possibility as he will be around 29 years by then. However, he concedes that it will be very tough. Young lifters are constantly breathing down the necks of the older ones. He points out that the previous World Champion, who is only 22, was recently defeated by another Chinese who is a mere 19.

Chintana points out that all sportsmen must have a target, patience and determination. He himself trains 7-8 hours a day, sometimes even at night. In his single-minded determination to do well, Chintana has missed out on some of the pleasures of life. He has no regrets.

Chintana’s Weight class is 62-69kgs. He feels that there are quite a few young lifters in the country who could come good given the right inputs. K.H. Asanga (Kandy YMCA) has good technique but must work harder. Ransilu Jayatilleka is another. Indika Dissanaike (Kandy), Kamal Bandara and Sampath Jayasinghe (both of Polonnaruwa) are tipped for higher honours.

In conclusion, Chintana points out that, at present, the centres of weight-lifting excellence are Colombo, Kandy, Polonnaruwa and Kurunegala. Equipment and coaches are lacking in many parts of the country. This militates against the development of the sport. The Sports Ministry is aware of the problem and they should act sooner rather than later.

Talking to Chintana was indeed a pleasure. He is still the simple, unspoilt lad from the backwoods. He is completely devoid of the airs and graces that seem to be the presence of his peers from the more glamorous sports.