Judoka Chamara Nuwan Dharmawardena likely to win a medal at Tokyo Olympics

On Jul 22, 2021

Judoka Chamara Nuwan Dharmawardana is expected to clinch a medal in Tokyo Olympics which will commence today (23). Dharmawardena has been selected to participate in Olympics under the Universal Places category but he is determined to win a medal

. Having got pervious Rio Olympics experience in 2016 the 29 year old Judoka hails from Gampola said he was very happy to get this chance once again and when he got the information about his qualification he had already started his hard training to focus on this big games .

Dharmawardene first made an impact in his chosen sport at the South Asian Judo event held in Pakistan 10 years ago by clinching bronze, while winning a Silver Medal in the 66 kg category at the International Cadet Judo Championship held in Singapore the same year.

During the Thailand International Judo Championship held 12 months later he clinched another Bronze Medal, before winning the Silver Medal in the 73 kg category at the South Asian Games held in India in 2016.

The gold medallist at the 2019 Kathmandu South Asian Games said I had the privilege of getting Slovenia special training which was organised by the National Olympic Committee (NOC) but due to Covid- 19 I had to return home and once again continue my training to focus on this Olympics .

Especially I was able to be selected for the final 16 players at the last Olympics and finally finished in ninth place.

At the second round I met Georgia opponent and lost by one point and my opponent finally won the gold medal.

This time I wanted to correct my faults which I did at the last Rio games and my final goal is to win a medal .

Actually I had many obstacles to continue my training due to this Global pandemic . Especially I missed International competitions to gain more points for the Olympic qualification.

But thanks to the NOC they arranged me to take part in a few International meets to get some points and especially i want to thank NOC President Suresh Subramaniam and Secretary Maxwell de Silva who always backed me to prepare my qualifications . Slovenia training is more important and finally I had opportunity to get one week special training in Kosovo with the Kosovo National Judo team just before this Olympics and straight to Tokyo for the big game .

During the short Kosovo training period I had to train with six other Olympians and as well as One European Champion and that’s very important before the Olympics.

I knew there will be a big challenge from the European champions and world number one Judoka from Japan and already noticed their talents from Videos and before this Games I have good knowledge about opponents.

Especially Technical , fighting skills with Endurance are key factors of this sport . In addition when we get into fights we have to maintain a high mentality and always want to keep a good mentality during this sport. After the Olympics I have to focus more about next Asian Games and Commonwealth Games and I want to give bring credit to my country from this sport said Dharmawardena .

Meanwhile NOC already named Dharmawardena as Captain of the Sri Lankan Olympic team and his working place at Sri Lanka Air Force also gives fullest support to continue this sport to reach a higher level . Air Force Commander Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana has decided to promote Olympic-bound judoka Chamara Nuwan Dharmawardena from the rank of Corporal to Sergeant.

The promotion will be effective from August 1, 2021,