Wushu Federation thrilled after Sri Lanka team bag 18 medals
A rich harvest of 18 medals were won by the Sri Lanka Wushu team at the recently concluded 8th World Kung-Fu Championship held in Emelshan, China.
In a highly contested championship participated in by over 4000 athletes from 48 countries, the Lankans bagged 18 medals inclusive of two gold, six silver and 10 bronze. A performance of superior class, Sri Lanka became the first South Asian nation to achieve this rare feat.
Young Wushuite Pathum Poorna Vancuelanberg came out with flying colours to win two golds, marked a promising start to this tiny island at this massive event. His team mates obliging to the start won six silver and 10 bronze medals.
Competing in the Nan Gun and Nanquan categories Manjula Menika and Viraj Denuka clinched four Silver medals ( Two each). Menika competed in Group ‘ C’ while Denuka competed in Group ‘ D’ in their respective age groups.
Dihan Vindiv and Jeevan Maduranga too added to the tally with one silver medal each in Nanquan and Nan Gun categories.
Dinuka Kaveeshan, K. W. Sanka Madura, W. K. Sarathchandra, Chamuda Kaushalya, Kaushalya Kavindi, Dihen Vidiv, Chamara Dsisanayake, Ravindu Chanaka and Jeevan Maduranga bagged one Bronze medal each to see Lanka looking rich in medals at this world event.
Manel Dharmakeerthi, President of the Wushu Federation of Sri Lanka speaking to the Sunday Times said that he and the federation are very happy about the achievement of its athletes at the Wushu Championship. He also said that this is one of the best achievements in the game. Previously Sri Lanka had won gold in international events and winning two gold medals at the World Championship in China, Sri Lanka became the only South Asian nation to win two golds.
The future of the game in Sri Lanka looks good as the Sports Ministry had agreed to bring down two world renowned coaches from China to boost the medal hungry Wushu players. Sri Lanka is geared up for the upcoming World Wushu Championship in Shanghai in October. The President is confident that the local team will keep the nations flag flying high at this event too.
Dharmakeerthi made a humble request from the Sports Ministry to build a stadium for indoor sports. Sports such as Carrom, Wushu, Weightlifting, Karate and Judo are medal winning sports disciplines that had brought credit to Sri Lanka at World Championships. He went on to say that the Ministry should pay attention to sports which are capable of winning medals in providing every facility needed. He concluded by saying that his team of officials will make every effort to lift the game of Wushu to the top bracket internationally.