 
Chris Dhambarage
Three years ago he was a national hero having bagged the first ever
gold medal for Sri Lanka in weightlifting at the Commonwealth Games in
Melbourne, Australia. But since then his career has been at a crossroads
having experienced mixed fortunes and many difficulties both on and off
the field.
Nevertheless twenty seven year old Chinthana Geethal Vidanage is back
in business, with even greater hopes of producing a repeat performance
at next year’s Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India.
The biggest disappointment that happened in the recent past for him
is the pull out of the principal sponsor Brandix who helped him in a
number of ways to reach new heights in the sport.
Even then Chinthana never gave up hope but continued to do his daily
routine of training at the indoor gymnasium of the Welagedera Stadium in
Kurunegala.
The former student of Royal College, Polonnaruwa feels that the quiet
environment and the set up in Kurunegala is the ideal location for his
training. In fact he has just returned from participating in another
major event the Asian Weightlifting Championships in Kazakhstazn where
he was placed fifth in the overall rankings in his weight category.
This was a satisfying performance considering the fact that he was
forced to compete after a restricted training period and without a
proper sponsor to meet his expenses and other requirements.
Chinthana Vidanage said that it is important to find a suitable
sponsor to further enhance his career performances and he will not
hesitate to meet Sports Ministry officials in connection with this
matter.
 Vidanage made his international debut while participating in the 2002
Commonwealth Games and bagged his first medal at the 2004 South Asian
Games. But it was at the 2006 Commonwealth Games that he made a lasting
impression while competing in the men’s 62 kilograms weight category.
He was able to lift a total of 271 kilograms in the snatch event and
win the gold medal despite stiff resistance from competitors from India
and Malaysia.
He produced a repeat performance and took the gold medal again in the
Commonwealth weightlifting championships held in China. Vidanage is now
looking forward to the World Championships in Korea in November which
will also serve as the first trial to select the competitors for the
2012 London Olympic Games.
He said that on the previous occasion he was selected as a wild card
entry due to injuries but this time he is determined to make it purely
on merit and make an impact in the very first appearance.
Vidanage first stole the limelight by winning back to back gold
medals at the 2006 South Asian Games in Colombo which was followed by
his historic effort at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
He also participated in the men’s 69 kilograms clean and jerk event
at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. During his memorable performance at
the Beijing Olympics the champion lifter had the satisfaction of
establishing three new Sri Lanka records.
He improved his own Sri Lankan record in the men’s 69 kg snatch from
120 kg to 128 kg also the total record from 280 kg to 293 kg. He will
also have the opportunity of warming up when he competes in the South
Asian Games to be held in Dhaka early next year. |
