By Ishan Samaraweera
Powerlifting
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Ransilu Jayathilake
After making winning a habit at global stage, powerlifting stalwart Ransilu Jayathilake’s journey can be compared to a rollercoaster ride. He has done numerous sacrifices for over 25 years to break the barriers of neglect and adversity from the powerlifting governing body to carry Sri Lanka’s flag onto the world stage. This, as many are now aware of, is powered purely by grit and dignity while showcasing the Sri Lankan pride in front of the global audience.
Despite his achievements, recognition remained elusive in a country where powerlifting struggled to match the popularity of cricket or rugby. Yet, Ransilu’s belief in his abilities and his desire to bring glory to Sri Lanka never faded. His perseverance was rewarded in 2021 when he claimed the gold medal at the Asian Powerlifting Championship in Turkey, which marked the beginning of a remarkable resurgence.
“My comeback year, 2021, was the toughest. Returning to training after Covid-19 was mentally challenging, and travelling alone to Turkey made things harder. But coming back home with the gold medal made every struggle worthwhile,” Ransilu recalled.
He maintained the momentum in 2022 by winning overall gold at the Equipped Championship in Coimbatore, India, before producing another standout performance at the Asian Classic Powerlifting Championships in Dubai, where a 320kg deadlift earned him the gold medal in the 120kg Open category.
The 2023 Asian Pacific Classic and Equipped Powerlifting Championships in Hong Kong proved another golden chapter. Leading the charge, Ransilu clinched gold and shattered the Asian deadlift record with a massive 322kg lift, while team members Suresh Mendis, Ravin Pieris and senior athlete Dareen Weerasinghe won medals. With this
Sri Lanka finished with an impressive haul of one gold, eight silver and two bronze medals.
An invitation to the elite Arnold Sports Festival in Birmingham in 2024 was a reward for Ransilu’s outstanding performances in Asia. However, the journey had its unique challenges. Arriving in England at 8:00am on the day of the competition and stepping onto the arena just three hours later, he overcame fatigue and jet lag to secure an outstanding third place finish. It is an achievement that earned the admiration of fellow competitors. From then onwards he was directly affiliated with the World Powerlifting Union (WPU).
The decision to part ways with the Sri Lanka Powerlifting Federation proved to be a catalyst for greater success. Unburdened by distractions, Ransilu flourished in 2024, winning his sixth Asian medal in Tashkent, Uzbekistan and adding another gold medal in the 120kg category. The triumph reinforced his reputation as one of Asia’s most formidable powerlifters and a proud standard bearer for Sri Lanka at international stage.
Gold medals became a familiar sight for Ransilu in 2025. He emerged victorious at the Asian Pacific Championships in Australia, the Asian Championships in Nepal and at the Dubai Open Classic Championships he earned a place on one of powerlifting’s biggest stages – the Arnold Sports Festival in Ohio, USA.
Years of sacrifice and perseverance culminated in a dream performance for Ransilu at the Arnold Sports Festival. The Sri Lankan powerlifter exceeded his own expectations by winning two gold medals and making history to become the first Asian athlete to receive the prestigious ‘Pro Belt’.
Ransilu had heaps of praise for his family, whose unwavering support has been a constant throughout his unblemished 25-year career. He described his wife, Udara, and young daughter, Riley, as his greatest sources of inspiration, saying their encouragement motivates him to keep striving for excellence. He added that one of his biggest happiness is seeing Riley witness her father’s achievements and cheer him on whenever he represents Sri Lanka on the international stage.
In the course from 2021 to 2026 Ransilu has bagged over 16 medals. His ultimate goal is to win 10 Asian Championship medals and help Sri Lanka to build a second string of powerlifters for the future of the sport in the country.
Being a lone ranger in powerlifting, Ransilu’s path is one that of perseverance against odds. Despite having no manager, no personal coach and limited support from the local federation, he has carved out an outstanding career through sheer hard work and self-belief. His Arnold Sports Festival triumph is the icing on the cake, which proves his legacy as an inspiration to the next generation.
