Amidu Silva was recently awarded the Filippi Spirit Award at the 2018 World Rowing awards held in Germany, becoming the first Asian to receive such recognition on the international stage.
The Filippi Spirit award is awarded to a University student who demonstrates the core values of rowing in their academic and sporting life, while inspiring success in other’s lives.
Amidu was among 4 nominees alongside James Francis (USA), Wilson Moore (Australia) and Nikola Potparevic (Serbia) for this prestigious award and claimed not only the Filippi Spirit award but also a custom made Filippi racing eight boat, made in Italy, which was awarded to the University of Moratuwa rowing. This is the first time a Sri Lankan has ever won an award at the World Rowing Awards Ceremony; indeed a historic achievement.
Amidu is a 4th year undergraduate of the University of Moratuwa and the captain of the University rowing team. He is a past student of Royal College and is studying Chemical and Process Engineering at the UoM. Amidu is currently the president of the UoM Sports Council and is also a brilliant all-rounder, having received awards for best student in Engineering for years the 2016 and 2017 apart from his sporting achievements.
He has been a consistent performer in rowing where he has received University and SLUSA colours for the years 2016 and 2017. Under his captaincy, the UoM rowing crew whitewashed the University of Colombo at the Inter University regatta where he won the award for Most Outstanding Oarsman. The team also won 3rd place at the Varsity Boat Race held in Malaysia last month, securing two bronze medals at the LM4- and V8+ events. This is also the first time the Moratuwa University oarsmen were placed in this grand event featuring the best rowing clubs in Asia. He has previously won a silver medal in 2016 in the LM4- race.
Showcasing true all-round brilliance, he has also received special awards for best sportsman with highest GPA and has appeared on the Dean’s list (GPA above 3.8) for 7 semesters. His ability to balance both studies and sports is indeed a very good example to any student who wishes to follow his footsteps in becoming a high achiever.
Nothing would have been possible without all the hard work, dedication and determination towards all these achievements, not only as an individual but as a rowing team. The University of Moratuwa rowing team has been the front runner of university rowing and has excelled in most regattas both locally and internationally. “Humbled and honoured bringing this to Sri Lanka and uni. Credit goes to everyone and anyone who helped me along the way,” were his regarding the achievement.
ThePapare congratulates Amidu for his marvelous achievements and hopes that this is just the 1st step of a prestigious career in the sport.
