Sri Lanka’s powerlifting and weightlifting superstar, Ransilu Jayathilake will be aiming for a Gold Medal when he departs to Vancouver, Canada on December 1st for the 6th Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships 2015.
The 29-year old former Kingswood College juggernaut will be participating in the 105kg category on December 3rd and 6th alongside former Peterite Dhanushka Kodikara who will be competing in the 93kgs (Youth) category.
“I am assured of a medal, at least a Bronze but I am aiming for a Gold, which will be the first for a Sri Lankan power lifter.” Jayathilake said exclusively to ThePapare.com
Jayathilake was able to win a Gold Medal in the 120kgs category at the Singapore Invitational Powerlifting Championships in August which is a championship where the best upcoming power lifters are invited to compete taking into consideration their past performances. The championship saw the participation of countries like USA, Malaysia, India, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Chinese Taipei. More than 120 athletes participated in the Men’s and Women’s categories.
Ransilu lifted 260kgs in Squat, 122.5 in Bench Press and 302.5kgs in Dead Lift for a total of 685kgs. His dead lift of 302.5kgs is the highest by a Sri Lankan lifter and the first time to reach 300+kgs mark in Sri Lanka. He is the first person to lift 300kgs in Sri Lankan weightlifting competition in 2011.
He started his weightlifting journey at the tender age of 7 and since then he has been a household name for weightlifting and powerlifting in Sri Lanka and in Asia. He started breaking national records when he was just 14 years of age.
“My father Mothilal Jayathilake is my coach and my mentor. He has been with me all throughout my journey. “Ransilu said.
Jayathilake has so far won more than 24 international medals in weightlifting and powerlifting including the Commonwealth Youth Gold (first Sri Lankan to win Gold in this Games), World Junior Power Lifting Silver and many medals.
“Powerlifting is a sport which is recognized all over the world, even more than weightlifting but there is even no governing body in Sri Lanka. “He further added and noted that he has been financially sponsored by Commercial Credit PLC and few Kingswood College old boys.
ThePapare.com would like to congratulate, Ransilu Jayathilake and wish him the very best to bringing glory to Sri Lanka in the sport of Powerlifting.
