Manju brings honour to Vidyartha

Indika Polkotuwa

Manju Dinesh Kumara Wanniarachchi who rewrote Sri Lanka’s boxing history by winning a gold medal for the bantamweight category at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in New Delhi is a product of Vidyartha College, Kandy. Born on December 2, 1979 Manju Wanniarachchi entered Vidyartha College for his education. Almost at the same time with me, I can still recall how he dressed as a boxer and participated in a funny dress competition at the Inter-house Sports Meet held at the school in 1986.

He was only seven years old and no one would have ever thought that he would grow up to conquer the world as a real boxer.

Later he took up boxing as an extra curricular activity when he was just 10 years old under the expert guidance of trainer Lal Amunugama. Later he went on to win the L V Jayaweera inter-school boxing tournament in 1991. Thereafter there was no turning back for him as he won ever single boxing title on his way.

Vidyartha College which has bequeathed many international level sportsmen to the Motherland was no doubt a great blessing for Manju’s escapades in the boxing world.

Eight boxers including Manju created an unbreakable record at the 1993 Stubbs Trophy Boxing Tournament by winning in all eight categories they participated.

Manju equally excelled in his studies at school. He passed the Grade Five Scholarship Examination obtaining excellent marks and went on to shine in education in the upper classes as well.

He was a disciplined humble and friendly personality in school and I feel that these traits may have stood in good stead for him for his success in life.

Teacher-in-Charge of sports W D O Wijewansa and Trainer Lal Amunugama were the leading figures who fashioned him to be a leading international boxer.

Incumbent Sports Minister C B Ratnayake and Manju’s present trainer Harsha Kumara are both distinguished Old Boys of Vidyartha and this would have been an added blessing and pride for Manju.