Powerlifting: Darin and Ronella create bench marks

National Power lifting Champion and Asian Bronze Medalist Darin Weerasinghe and a team of 8 took part at the Annual National Independence Bench Press Championship organized by the Sri Lanka Power Lifting Federation held at Bandaragama. 

Darin Broke the Sri Lanka Bench Press record in his first attempt with 195kg and went onto do a 200kg lift which was given the 3 green lights by the referees indicating a good lift. 

To everyone’s surprise he attempted the 3rd lift with210kg but due to a slight downward movement of the bar it was not given. 

This is the first time any athlete in Sri Lanka has done the magical 200kg in Bench Press mark and it shows that the Sri Lanka Athletes have the potential to compete in the international arena. 

The previous record in Sri Lanka was 180kg. 

The Ladies Team of High Octane dominated the women’s category of under 63kg beating a stiff competition from the forces to take Gold, Silver and Bronze. 

Gold, Silver and Bronze was won by Ronella Edirisinghe, Natasha Makalanda and Tashali Weerasinghe respectively. 

The other Medal Winners for High Octane were Tony Jayawardane who secured Gold in the under 105kg Chandana Tillakaratne and Danielle Elwell secured Bronze Medal in the 83kg and 93kg division. Ranga Wimalasooriya came in 4th in the 120kg Class. 

High Octane Fitness won the overall Championship beating the forces and other gymnasiums in Sri Lanka. 

High Octane Fitness is the largest fitness facility in Sri Lanka and it has stamped its authority as training some of the strongest athletes in Sri Lanka.