Vidanage is back

Thushan Jayasuriya

Chinthana Vidanage, Sri Lanka's most recognized weightlifter who brought glory to the country, hopes to resume his journey in the weightlifting career after his ban ends on May 2013.

Hailing from Polonnaruwa, he reached success passing several obstacles with dedication and devotion towards the sport. The 2006 Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist will be a top medal prospect at the South Asian Games in New Delhi next year.

"After filing several appeals to the World Weightlifting Federation, they decided to ease the four ban for of two years. But during this period I'll miss many chances to bring back a medal to my country as the ban has been imposed on both national and international events," he said.

"I hope to represent Sri Lanka at the forthcoming South Asian Games next year and I respect the decision taken by the World Weightlifting Association," he said.

Vidanage was found guilty of violating anti-doping rules and faced the ban from July 15 last year.

The World Weightlifting Federation informed Sri Lanka that the ban imposed on Vidanage will be lifted after May 13, 2013.

He will be eligible to represent Sri Lanka in the South Asian Games in New Delhi under the 69 kg weight category next year.

His biggest achievement was at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games where he won a Gold Medal.

Vidanage won Gold Medals at the South Asian Games in 2006 and 2010. Vidanage was the silver medalist at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games too.

He was placed fourth at the Asian Weightlifting Championship where he was found guilty.