Chinthana Geethal Vidanage is one of the successful weight lifters in the country today. A few days ago, he renewed his Sri Lankan records at a local tournament conducted by the Sri Lanka Weightlifting Federation in Gallalla, Polonnaruwa.
The Youth Observer caught up with him to discuss his future in weightlifting.
Q: Chinthana, first of all I congratulate you on your recent achievement.
A: Thank you. I always try to do my best. As a sportsman and a son of the soil.
Q: Your strength of mind is admirable. You are an example to other sportsmen.
A: Yes. As a sportsman I try to give my best every time and I do not intend to change that lifestyle in the immediate future.
Q: You set up three new Sri Lankan records in your weight category?
A: Yes. During our training sessions, the Weightlifting Federation conducted a meet to find out our skills. I did my best and set up three Sri Lankan records in my weight category.
Q: Most readers do not know the records that you broke. Could enlighten them on your achievements?
A: Of course. I am in the 89 kg weight category. I lifted 135 kg in the snatch and 165 kg in the clean and jerk, making a total lift of 300 kg. All of these are new Sri Lankan records. I am happy about that achievement.
Q: What is the secret behind your success?
A: One must have mind power and use it. Age is not a barrier for anything. By that I do not mean that one can continue to do anything until you die. Everything will come to an end one day, but before that I have many things to accomplish for myself and society and I will do my best to accomplish it.
Q: You will turn 40 in December. What are your future plans?
A: Why not. I hope to become a good weightlifting coach.
I travelled the hard road to success. I wish to impart my knowledge to youngsters.
I know that I will have to retire in the near future and make way for youngsters. But I think I have a couple of more years to go.
Q: Do you have a timeframe to hang up your boots?
A: No, I do not have a timeframe to retire. When my inner self tells me to stop, I will do so.
But, before that signal comes I hope to represent my country and bring more glory to my motherland.
Q: Did the holding of the meet in Polonnaruwa help you to break records?
A: The place where the meet is held does not matter to me.
I am not a sportsman who belongs only to the people of Polonnaruwa, but to the whole country.
Q: Do you have competition from young weightlifters in your weight category?
A: I never think of the other weightlifters. I focus my mind only on my training, but I see the shadow of the young players. One day they will break my records if the sport makes progress and I hope it will.
Q: You won a Gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. Could you give some details about it?
A: I won a Gold medal in the 62 kg weight category in Melbourne in 2006. It was a dream come true for me. The people in the country celebrated it and weightlifting became popular in the country.
Q: You took part in the 2008 Olympics?
A: Yes. I represented the country in the 2008 Olympic Games. I lifted a total of 293 kgs and was placed 15th in my weight category.
There were 31 participants in my category. It was the turning point of my sports career.
Q: Did you remember your first international meet?
A: Of course I do. The 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games was my first international event.
I represented the 5th weight category and placed fifth in that meet.
Q: Sri Lanka lost an opportunity to win a medal. What actually happened?
A: Yes, we lost an opportunity to win a medal. I had only a minute for a lift.
But I did not have experience and did not know about it and thereby lost the chance to win a medal.
However, four years later I achieved it.
Q: So do you plan to teach youngsters the difference between local and international meets?
A: You are right. However, that is not enough.
We must teach tactics used in the international arena. I like to pass on my knowledge to the younger generation.
Q: The final question. What are your future targets as a sportsman?
A: I am targeting the World Wrestling Championships in Uzbekistan in December and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next year. After that I have to think about my future.
