Eranga's Qigong prowess

Wins Gold in China:

Eranga Weerasinghe won Gold and Silver Medals in the 2nd International Health Qigong Competition held from September 12-14 in Bozhou, China.

Eranga won the gold medal in Liu Zi Jue and the Silver in Wu Qin Xi. Mahesh Pathirana won Gold medals in Wu Qin Xi and Ba Duan Jin. Over 19 countries participated in the competition with 119 athletes.

Qigong is an ancient Chinese health care system that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques and focused intention.

The word Qigong (Chi Kung) is made up of two Chinese words. Qi is pronounced chee and is usually translated to mean the life force or vital-energy that flows through all things in the universe.

Health Qigong is believed to help enhance the energy of internal organs and hence heal many diseases including high blood pressure and diabetics.

The competition was organized by the Chinese Health Qigong Association, the general administration of Sports of Bozhou and the general administration of Anhui Province.

The tournament was conducted in Bozhou, (in Anhui Province) which is the birth place of Wu Qin Xi (one of the sub arts in Qigong) and the origin of traditional Chinese medicine.

The tournament is organized in memory of Hua Tuo, an ancient Chinese physician who lived during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and was the inventor of Wu Qin Xi of Qigong. Hua as the first Chinese to use anesthesia during surgery and is credited with developing Wuqinxi (exercise of the Five Animals) from studying movements of the tiger, deer, bear, ape, and crane.

Eranga Weerasinghe, leader of the delegation and the secretary general of the Sri Lanka Health Qigong Association (SLHQA), is a former National Basketball Player (1999-2004) and captain of the Wushu team (2000-2006).

He has a BSc. in Engineering from the University of Moratuwa and is employed at MAS Intimates as a Plant Manager.