Commonwealth Games -2006

Chinthana Vidanage from a remote village in Polonaruwa won the weightlifting 62kg title.

Vidanage won over India’s Arun Murugesan. The gold was decided on a count back.

Both finished with the same total of 271 Kg .Vidanage was declared winner because of his lighter bodyweight than Murugesan.

Kelum Sri Mal reporting from the venue in Melborne said that this gold medal was a pleasant surprise .He added that Vidanage did not have a proper trainer and was not given even a tracksuit.

Journey of courage

Lankadeepa reporter Raj weerasinha spoke to videnege’s mother in the remote village of Palugasdamana close to Polonaruwa.

Vidanages mother Dhramseele Kothalawala said that Vidanage lost his farther even before staring school.

She said “he was a bright student and passed his ordinary level with eight distinctions and later passed his advance level in the science stream”

As vidanage did not have a proper trainer he went to the local sports club for training said his mother.

Vidanages mother said that vidanage was very active in paddy cultivation and he did well in what ever he did.