Power-lifter Kodikara combines brawn with brains in quest for Gold
Danushka Kodikara at the beginning of his international career - Pic by Amila Gamage
Five years back, Danushka Kodikara was in pursuit of a career in Rugby, Sri Lanka’s most followed sport after Cricket. But a sudden twist of fate has made Kodikara a national asset which, after 4years, he claims, is the turning point of a positive move.
Today, Kodikara, 25, is a top ranked power-lifter in Sri Lanka and one of the few to be ranked among the top in Asia. His career in power-lifting completes four years this August, and during this short, yet, glittering career, Kodikara has close to 40 medals from just 4 championships at national level, and a crowning Gold medal in the Junior category, from the Commonwealth Power-lifting Championship held in Vancouver, Canada in 2015. He is the first to win Gold, in Sri Lanka’s history.
“I was just 21 at that time and it was my first international meet. I was a rookie compared with the others who were well experienced, including my mentor in power-lifting, Ransilu Jayatilleke. In the end, when I won Gold in my weight category, whatever the uncertainties I had, simply vanished. Ever since, I aim for a medal,” Kodikara said.
Kodikara competes in the 93Kg category and his immediate priority and focus is the forthcoming Commonwealth Power-lifting Championship 2017, in Potchefstroom, North West South Africa next month. Currently, he is trains 5 days a week, under a strict diet plan, with his colleagues at the High Octane Gymnasium in Kohuwala, which is the ‘headquarters’ for members of the national Power-lifting squad.
“It’s not easy to become a top contender in this sport within a short interval. I guess I was born for Power-lifting and I strongly believe that my best is yet to come,” he added.
Kodikara was a lean kid who had a great knack for sports. As a youngster he was obsessed with Cricket. That and his talent made Kodikara a regular member of the junior and senior age categories of St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya, Cricket. He was a prominent batsman who represented the Junior District and Provincial teams. His school Cricket career, however, spanned only 7 years, before renowned Rugby coach Sanath Martis invited Kodikara to try out a new sport. By then Kodikara had become burly.
Danushka Kodikara
“I was immediately put under Ransilu Jayatilleke, who gave me a thorough physical conditioning training. I ended up playing for the St. Peter’s 1st XV for two seasons, under Bhanuka Nanayakkara and Keith Gurusinghe, as a prop and a flanker. I really enjoyed my time with the Pete’s Rugby team and, at the same time, I developed a liking for Power-lifting, mainly because of the influence Ransilu had over me,” he went on to explain.
Following his school Rugby career, Kodikara joined the now-defunct Hambantota Sharks, but made his Division ‘A’ Rugby debut with Police Sports Club for just one season. In August 2013, Kodikara’s transition to Power-lifting took place.
“I was accustomed to iron discs and bars, and lifting them loaded. But Ransilu instructed me on how the technical aspects work and, within a year, I was one of the top competitors in my weight category.”
Today, Kodikara is a major impact maker in Power-lifting. In his 93Kg category, Kodikara is ranked 24th in the world and 4th in Asia. He is virtually the best in Sri Lanka in all three categories- the Squat, Dead Lift and Bench Press, which is his best lift at 280Kg. This achievement is result of his constant attempts at the Commonwealth Championship to 2 Asian Championships, a World Equipped and a World Classics Championship, where he could reach among the best 25 in the world. But Kodikara has a new goal.
“I’m currently working hard on lifting 300kg in the Bench Press. If I achieve that, it would make my goal of winning Gold at the upcoming Commonwealth Championship, a reality. And it would also put me on the correct path to the World Championship in Montreal, Canada, next year, where I believe a spot medal in my weight category is a possibility,” the gritty lifter emphasised.
Currently, Kodikara is employed at Australian College of Business & Technology (ACBT), as Manager- Sports & Recreation. He joined ACBT from school to pursue higher studies, where they recognised Kodikara’s skills and potential, and offered to assist him in realising his sporting goals. Kodikara also has plans to further continue his higher studies and complete his Masters at a university in Australia. If that materialises, it would be a stumbling block to Kodikara’s ultimate goal of representing Sri Lanka at the 2020 Olympics. He has already explored the possibilities of training and competing ‘down under’, and the news is all positive for a promising career in Power-lifting.
“Power-lifting is a thriving sport in Sri Lanka. If not for a few keen individuals, these medals will not be a possibility. As individuals, we do have to look after our own expenditures, when it comes to nourishment, medical and other needs. Like others in this sport, I too have a goal and I feel I have more time for that. It would be really good to win an international medal or two when the time is right. But Power-lifters gain their peak between years 30-40. That gives me the much needed encouragement to strive more,” said a very excited Kodikara.