Possessed by a Trinity sporting spirit
Engulfed in a broad cloud of euphoria and a jubilant cluster of teammates and home fans, Kaneel Senevirathne had just realized a long-held dream. The captain of the Trinity College rugby team had just led his side to the Bradby Shield, complementing a league title procured only a week ago. Moreover, he had also etched his name for all eternity amongst the greats of Trinity College rugby.
The talented centre played with a fiery intensity at every match this season, inspiring his teammates on the field with his skill and grit and off it with his exemplary leadership. Away from the blood and mud of the field however, the nineteenyear-old sportsman is quite a different demeanor.
Dressed in school whites instead of his usual rugby garb, Kaneel flashes a ready smile and says that it is truly special to have been a part of such a dominant rugby team.
“This year we thought only about rugby. We thought Rugby is our life and we have to win everything for Trinity,” he says.
Indeed rugby has always occupied an integral part of Kaneel’s life, ever since he donned his first blue, red and gold jersey. His father, an avid rugby fan, initially stoked his interest in the game by encouraging him to attend practices, but from thereon his profound passion for the sport took over and he pushed himself to be the best.
“I really liked rugby from the time I was very small. I started playing in the under 12 team and really enjoyed it. When I started though it was very hard because the training was very tough,” he reveals.
However, Kaneel was supported by his unswerving work ethic, injecting limitless quantities of hard work and dedication into his training. Furthermore, his love for a completely different sport, weightlifting, also contributed immensely to his physical development and discipline.
“Weightlifting has given me strength and has also taught me how to focus. We have to lose weight sometimes, so it takes a lot of effort,” Kaneel explains,
That effort paid off at this year’s junior national championships, where Trinity ran away with the Under 17 and Under 19 overall championships. Kaneel was simply peerless in the Under 19 77kg weight class, producing a technically flawless exhibition in both the snatch and clean and jerk, with his lift of 130 kg in the jerk establishing a new record.
Kaneel says he is aided in his decision to pursue both rugby and weightlifting by the fact that both sports are conveniently scheduled.
“When the rugby season finishes, the weightlifting season starts,” he says beaming.
According to Kaneel, one of the factors governing his success is a grueling training regime, consisting of frequent and unrelenting workouts for both sports.
However, the youngster says that without a doubt it is the constant support of his family and friends that has served as the ultimate catalyst for all that he has achieved.
Reflecting on his experience during both legs of the Bradby, Kaneel says that although fuelled by a fount of adrenaline he was at no point overwhelmed by the atmosphere.
“I have played in the Bradby for three years so I did not feel much pressure when I was playing.”
Besides his experience, Kaneel credits his coaches and last year’s Trinity Captain, Muradh Ramzeen, with helping him be an effective leader on and off the field. He adds that this season has been yet another progression in his rugby learning curve as he has embellished his skills with an increased physical and mental toughness.
For now though, Kaneel’s immediate priorities rest far away from the rugby field as he prepares for his Advanced Level exams, following which he will pursue a degree in mathematics. However, he insists that this will not get in the way of his two passions, saying that he will continue with weightlifting and rugby even after he finishes his schooling.
-David Stevens Pic by Amila Gamage