Sports

Remembering Bernard Atwell-The self made Athlete

By Maxie Kariyawasam

Wednesday the 24th marks the 1st Anniversary of the demise of Bernard Atwell, The Self Made Athlete and Rugger player who dazzled representing All Ceylon in the first sport. Bernard who was a product of St. Mary’s College Dehiwala did not enjoy the luxury of a coach in both sports. Instead through sheer determination and coupled with the enormous talent that he had for these two sports made him a household name throughout the length and breath of the country in the years 1958 to the late sixties.


Bernard Atwell

It all started with his persuading the authorities in School to enter him in the 100 and 200 Metres events in the Junior Athletic Championship and he superseded all expectations by running into the 3rd place in both events against the cream of Athletes in Schools. Then in 1958 joining Lechman and Co Ltd Bernard annexed the 100 and 200 Meters titles running in the Mercantile Meet. This was to open the floodgates for Bernard and the icing on the cake was when he ran for All Ceylon in 1960 against that Class Sprinter from India Milka Singh in the 100 meters in 1960 and established a joint all comers record of 10.08 seconds which stood the test of time for over a decade. Bernard was also a bronze Medal winner at the South East Asian Games held in Malaysia and was also a Member of the record breaking quartet in the 4x100 and 4x400 Meters against the Indian team in 1960.

Bernard also made quite a splash in 1958 turning out for the Champion CR & FC teams and was a sheer speedy wing three quarter who was AKA ‘Catch me if you can Atwell’ who dazzled spectators with his superlative speed scoring many a try and getting one wag to say that “If ever Atwell gets the ball the opposing side better hail a taxi if they are to apprehend him. A moment fans would surely remember are the 4 Magnificent tries he scored in the Clifford Cup encounter against Uva. Memories one could say are made of this. In cricket too Bernard represented B.R.C. as a paceman of no mean repute in the Donavan Andree trophy matches.

In real life; Bernard was ever so simple and was unassuming as ever despite his many achievements on the sporting field. His charming wife Kanthi and he would welcome friends and even acquaintances at their home and treat them lavishly. May Bernard who was born to run find his ultimate rest with the Good Lord whom he believed in and may his whole life be an inspiration to all of us remaining behind.

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