Being a Sports enthusiast since School days, there were so many “Sporting Idols” that I really admired. The bottom line of playing or enjoying a sport is that it enhances the values we have within us as human beings. Most of the sports are team ones, thus they bring up the team spirit, “never give up” attitude and that level of determination, as the legendary Michael Jordon had very rightly quoted, “I have failed over and over and over again in my life, and that is why I succeed”.
This post is once again about a sporting hero, from our little nation (YES, you’re right, from Sri Lanka – though such athletes exist in little numbers nowadays) who taught such a lesson of determination and highlighted the spirit of Olympics. It once again emphasizes that what matters is NOT whether you win or lose; it’s the amount of effort, heart and soul you put in. I must thank Varuna Gunasekera, a classmate of mine, who had shared the story of Karu, in his blog, which punched me to rewrite it in my own words with some more research.
R.J.K. Karunananda (Ranathunge Karunanda) hailed from a remote village close to Nattandiya of North Western Province. He represented Sri Lanka at the 1964 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo in Men’s 10,000m race. Unlike these days, no heats were held for this event at that time, and the whole bunch of 29 athletes from 17 nations competed for a prestigious Gold Medal of the most fascinating sporting event of the entire world.
The Gold Medal was won by Billy Mills of USA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletics_at_the_1964_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Men%27s_10,000_metres), and our little hero was neck and neck to the Gold Medalist at the time, Billy finished the race.
This was not because he was close to winning any of the medals, but because Billy had lapped him four times during his feat of winning the Gold.
The crowd had sarcastic feelings over Karunananda, who was way behind the other athletes who competed. However, our “Marathon Karu” was not to be stopped and bothered by anyone. He completed the rest of the laps, one after the other, much to the cheer and delight of the Japanese crowd, who at the end when Karu finished the race, stood from their seats to salute, in the name of the spirit he showed to the Olympics. He clocked 32 minutes and 21 seconds, in completing the race, falling behind Billy’s then Olympic record of 28 minutes and 24 seconds.
The courage and determination shown by Karu was widely admired over the world, and he was subsequently, taken as a role model for the Japanese children in teaching them on courage and determination, while back in Sri Lanka as to now, he is barely remembered by anyone on his feats and achievements. Even though Karu was later offered a job in Japan, however he was not lucky enough to take it up as he died (certain media reports that he was murdered) in 1974. Karu could have been praised for generations, had he been born elsewhere, and this was the way we Sri Lankans showed the gratitude to this legend.
On a final note, I hope at least those who are reading this post, will take time to think about such people of our society, and contribute towards ensuring that their memories and aspirations are never forgotten from our days…..
