Imran Bisthamin a brilliant rugby player produced by St. Anthony’s College who later turned out for Kandy SC and was forced to retire after a career-ending fall, married Raheema Issadeen over here in Kandy.
Bisthamin suffered serious injury to the head and spinal cord when he fell from an upper floor of a restaurant at the George E de Silva Shopping Complex at Dalada Veediya Kandy in November 2008 at a young age of 23. His recovery was miraculous according to his close friends who feared otherwise.
He learnt his rugby at St. Anthony’s College whose team he captained playing at Number 8 in his final year in 2004. That same year he turned out for Kandy Sports Club and played till what eventually became a career-ending fall in 2008.
Bisthamin played a major role for Kandy SC in winning many championship titles. He also played for the Sri Lanka youth team.
He was a hard working forward and a good carrier of the ball in addition to his aggressive play as he excelled in the line-outs using his height and build to the maximum.
Bisthamin’s pet position was Number Eight and was regarded as the best in that position.
He also functioned as a flanker and a lock and graduated to rugby after giving up cricket that he played as a fast bowler with the Under-17 school team.