Jacques does Sri Lanka proud

Thirteen year old rider Jacques Gunawardena won the third place in fourth round of 2012 FIM Asian Motocross Championship Series at the Speedworld MX Circuit held at Manila, Phillipines.

The Sri Lankan lad was a threat to number one and two champion leaders during the event and with this achievement, Jacques became the first Sri Lankan to get a podium finish in an Asian Motorcross Championship.

"Firstly I thank Lord Jesus Christ for blessing me with the opportunity to participate for the Asian Round 4 in Philippines; and the tremendous talent that he has gifted me with. As this is my first tour overseas, it was a great opportunity to be amongst the Champions in the Asian Countries. Hats off to my dad and mechanic uncle Mahen from Kotte, for the hard work put in to set up and tune my bike for me to deliver the best I could", says victorious Jacques.

"We started off with a 15minute practice session and to my surprise it was also the qualifying for the selection for this event. I rode with the top competitors in their own back yard and managed to archive two podium finishes at third place in Motor1 & Motor2. I qualified amongst the first five for the race which ran for almost 27 laps.

This is where it finally hung lose the hours of training and the fitness schedule given to me by Power World. I was able to stand the endurance but the one thing that stuck to me was the words of my father saying that this is not just a race; your racing against the best in Asia to bring honor to your Country.

It was at this point where it came to my understanding what I need to achieve and that whatever I achieve today was not just another prize but it was something far more important not just to me but my Country and everyone who backed m.

Jacques thanks Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, for the tremendous support he has given, his main sponsor MAS Active, Power World and Edge Energy, Red Doors, his Tier Team and all the race organizations, Sri Lanka Army, Federation of Motorcycles, Upali Dassanayake and all his fans for their love and support.

"Also I thank all my sisters and brothers who are in the Four Square children's home Kanthale, my fellow riders and all the senior riders like Ananda Wedisinghe, Ishan Dassanayake who have shared their experience with my by giving me valuable advice which was of use to me in the game and a special thank goes to Cornel Ekanayake from Boyagana Camp", said Jacques.

CW