Bodybuilding C’ship in honour of late Robert Rupasinghe
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Last year's winners with Mrs. Rupasinghe and other officials
The Southern Province Bodybuilding Championship for the late Robert Rupasinghe Challenge Trophy will be held under the supervision of Sri Lanka bodybuilding and Fitness Federation for the seventh occasion at the Matara Cooperative House on October 4.
The late Robert Rupasinghe is one of the finest bodybuilders Sri Lanka has ever produced. A four-time National champion, Rupasinghe, who hailed from Wadduwa and was attached to the Sri Lanka Air Force, finished second in the whole of Asia when he won that position in the Tall Man Class in the Mr. Asia Contest, held in Sri Lanka in 1969. He passed away tragically at the young age of 28 in a road accident.
He was born at Wadduwa, near Kalutara in 1947 and studied at the Wadduwa Central College before he joined Sri Lankan Air Force. He was a champion track-and-field athlete and held the pole vault record of the Public Schools Athletic Meet and many more events. Prior to taking to bodybuilding, Rupasinghe was a prominent pole-vaulter too.
Taking up bodybuilding in year 1967 winning Mr. Kalutara Title and the 1968 title for Junior Mr. Sri Lanka Contest, he continued to become the National champion in 1969. Rupasinghe continued to win the National championship for three more years continuously. Along with his advisor Thillekeratne he founded the Wadduwa Barbell Club for the youth bodybuilders of Wadduwa. The club produced many National champions in later years.
A near seven-footer, Robert measured a chest at 49 inches then. An arm measured at 19 inches and his thighs at 26 and 1/2 inches. His hips had measured at 29. (‘Deyata Ahimiwunu Yodhaya’ by Daya Ananda Ranasinghe, Lankadeepa, July 16, 1976)
At the time of his tragic death, Robert was almost an iconic figure in National bodybuilding. An extremely popular sport then, the bodybuilding and its fraternity were fortunate to see his astonishing muscle dances in contests. Thousands always flocked to see the spectacle. He was to star in a Tarzan movie when he faced the tragic motor accident. Those who have seen Robert in action still believe he was the most complete bodybuilder the country ever saw. Patricia Rupasinghe, the wife of late Robert Rupasinghe, will Grace the occasion as the Chief Guests at the event. The semi-finals will be held at 9.00am while the finals will be held at 4.00pm. Further details could be obtained by calling L.S. Jayawardena on 0770253996. - SP