Anthony Symons off to USA to participate in 2014/2015 Masters events

By A. C. De Silva

Veteran Cyclist and former National coach Anthony Symons will be leaving to USA in due course to participate in 2014/201 5 Masters events, representing the Staten Island Cycling Association, New York.

Anthony Symons is a long-standing member of the Cycling Federation of Sri Lanka since 1958. He has been for many cycling events abroad.

Symons has a credit of taking part in the "Tour de Lanka" on 15 Occasions which is a record, won the tour in 1964 and other Tours finishing second, third, fourth after facing, lot of tragic accidents.

Joining the Sri Lanka Army in 1970, he got honours to the Sri Lanka Army wining most of the open events. Symons captained the Army Cycling Team and awarded Army colours. In 2012 Symons once again got ex-servicemen's Army colours.

In 2005 Symons was felicitated honouring Sabaragamuwa Wansha Abimani Kreeda Keerthi Sri award for bringing credit to the home town Ratnapura and to the country, for his devotion towards the cycling sport 1958 - 2005.

Symons is the founder member of the Ratnapura District cycling Association in 1976 and also the Founder member of the veterans cycling Association of Sri Lanka in 1996, which is active at present.

Symons has a record of taking part in most cycling events in Sri Lanka since 1958 to this date, now riding for Veterans and masters events.

Symons is a member of the Staten Island cycling Association USA-NY .

In 1996 be took part in the St. George Annual Cycling classic over 50 years of age and placed 6th.

In 2001 road for the New York Tour in the team event with his son Marlon (Citizen in USA) with some American Cyclist of Staten Island club of NY cycling in placed 12th in the team event, which over 35,000 Cyclists took part in this annual tour.