The writer wishes to unfasten pads and leave his pet sport writing cricket and focus on a sport that hit world headlines a few days back. And that is the winning of the first Gold Medal in body Building at the World Bodybuilding and Physique Federation (WBPF) Championships in Thailand by Sri Lankan LUCION PUSHPARAJ.
It is said, and reiterated a thousand and one times that ‘a prophet is not without honor, other than in his own country’. And this saying rings deafeningly true on the simple, unassuming and determined PUSPARAJ who shook and stunned the country and the Bodybuilding world.
Sadly his incredible achievement that did the country proud did not receive the recognition, applause and receptions, it richly deserved.
Called the ‘Black Lion of Asia’, his record breaking achievement has now bracketed him with world bodybuilders of the calibre of film idol Arnold Schwarzzeneger, Frank Zane, Ronnie Coleman, Kevin Lavrone, Lee Harvey, Dexter Jackson Shawn Ray and Flex Wheter.
Not so long ago Bodybuilding or Weightlifting was a very popular sport in the country. It attracted many youngsters to the sport and it became a craze.
There were many bodybuilding clubs all over the country and special mention must be made of the Community Centres in the Municipal Council that lured and encouraged youngsters to this sport which was popularly tagged ‘BODY BEAUTIFUL’. In its halcyon days, schools had gymnasiums too and encouraged their tudents to take to this sport. Some of the schools sportsmen used to do light weight training so as to build strength to help them in other sports.
Youngsters during the muscle building period, would prefer to wear nec- less tee shirts and bloat their muscles so as to catch the attention of the onlookers, especially their girl friends! Body building in that era was a craze.
But as the years rolled by, the interest waned, but continued In a much lower scale. The Body Building Association, however encouraged the sport and many were the contests that were held.
We are certainly not trying to belittle or demean the other great contributors to the sport when we mention the name of the one and only JEFF SCHUCROFT. SCHUCROFT was one of the best body builders the country had produced or seen.
He was ‘Junior Mr. Ceylon’ and ‘Mr. Ceylon’ which titles he richly deserved for being dedicated to the sport. In quitting the sport he took to governing it and did a wonderful job.
While the sport continued to flourish, it did not receive the patronage it received like in an earlier era. But LUCION PUSHPARAJ stunned, rocked and shook the bodybuilding world with his magnificent display that will be etched in the record books of ‘body beautiful’ locally and abroad.
His departure to the contest in Thailand went unheralded with no big song and dance. In fact his departure did not receive much publicity. In fact it was a departure that went unnoticed.
But even when he triumphed and the news trickled in, it did not receive the accolades it deserved and no big noise nor was there a delegation to receive him or the whirring of cameras or papare, papare bands that usually are present to welcome heroes.
He emplaned unnoticed and disembarked unnoticed. What was sad was that not even officials of the Federation were there to welcome him or garland him, as is the case when winning teams or individuals are accorded.
But then all was not lost. There were leaders who cared. PUSHPARAJ’S great effort did not go unrecognized or unrewarded on his return. Minister of National Housing and Construction Sajith Premadasa, who like his father, was quick to recognize and reward a great effort, gifted PUSHPARAJ with an all important house and rupees 10 lakhs, which PUSHPARAJ says he appreciates and treasures the kind gesture of the Minister.
Sports Minister Harin Fernando who has himself been a sport has also promised support. It is a worthy cause and Fernando will do well to help.
The winning of a gold medal by PUSHPARAJ portends good for the Minister who had taken over the sports portfolio only recently.
Sporting and proudly displaying his body beautiful in the 100kg category, the muscular PUSHPARAJ from little Sri Lanka, took the international judges by surprise with the many poses with muscles bulging and they were quick to nominate him as the winner of his category that earned him a gold medal.
PUSHPARAJ’S career has not been a bed of roses. The trials and tribulations he had to suffer would have deterred, disappointed and prompted any other sportsman to call it quits. But not PUHPARAJ who like the muscles in his body displays, is made of steel.
His career from the time he took to the sport he loves best – weightlifting – is a moving story. He did not receive any support from any individual, body or the Federation. He had to spend his own money for his food and he says that he needs something like 18 to 20 lakhs when preparing for one competition. He spends nearly two lakhs a month for food. He says that he requires eight meals a day as his body requires adequate portions of carbs, protein and fats. In addition to supplements he has to do regular training which all costs big money.
Known as the ‘Black Lion of Asia’ PUSHPARAJ had his early education at St.Xavier’s Maha Vidyalaya in Jaela and later at Basicilla College, Ragama. Sports ran in his blood from his schooldays.
In school he had a love for athletics, cricket and volleyball. On the track he was an 400, 800 and 1,500 miler and won his events at a All Island meets. But it was weightlifting that caught his fancy. He joined gymnasiums as a fitness instructor, which prompted him to take to bodybuilding, that has finally brought him, the sport and his country great honour. PUSHPARAJ is a holder of a Diploma in Nutrition and Fitness and is not satisfied with his success and is determined to train even harder and bring more laurels to game, country and self. ‘COMMENT’ wishes him more success. erodrigopulle@gmail.com
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