Powerlifting: Six qualify for World Championship; Men's team emerge overall champs

Sri Lanka Powerlifting team created history when they emerged Overall Men's champions at the Qualifying Event for the World Powerlifting Championship held in Gold Coast, Australia. 

Sri Lanka fielded a team of 11 powerlifters for the qualifying event held from March 11 to 18 and returned with a tally of eight gold medals and four silver medals. 

Becoming overall men's champions was the first time Sri Lanka powerlifters has managed to achieve in the history of the sport. 

In the Men's Open event Ransilu Jayathilake won two gold medals with two Sri Lanka records while Pradeep Kumara and Hiran Fernando won a gold medal each to help Sri Lanka become overall champions. 

Dilrukshi Kumara won a gold medal in the Women's Open event while Randunu Geethika and Marian de Zoysa claimed silver medals. 

De Zoysa's tally was two silver medals, both Sri Lanka records. 

All six athletes who competed in the Open category in both segments -- Ransilu Jayathilake, Pradeep Kumara and Hiran Fernando from Men's and Dilrukshi Kumara, Randunu Geethika and Marian de Zoysa from Women's -- have qualified for the World Powerlifting Championship to be held in Sweden later this year. 

In the Junior Under-23 category Vikum Perera and Shehani Christine claimed a gold medal each while Nivendra Silva claimed a gold medal in the Sub Junior Under-18 category. Kakolya Janmod won a silver medal in the Sub Junior Under-18 category. 

This achievement comes as a welcome sign for after Sri Lanka powerlifters won 44 medals at the Asian Championship held in Mongolia last year. 

Representing 23 countries, a total of 600 athletes competed at the Qualifying Event for the World Powerlifting Championship held in Australia.