Darin and Ransilu steer High Octane Fitness to victory

The Annual Shakthi Raw Powerlifting meet saw some of the strongest lifters from around the country represent their teams and clubs, which took place recently. For the first time, there were over 150 participants taking part in multiple categories with entrants from the forces and a variety of reputed gyms taking part.

The defending champions from the Sri Lanka Army Team were the ones to beat and saw elite lifters in all the respective categories. Raw Powerlifting does not permit support gear other than Belt and Knee Sleeves.

Darin Weerasinghe and Ransilu Jayathilake were part of a team of 13 Athletes from High Octane Fitness and were arguably the most experienced in this field with Commonwealth colours under their belt.

The crowd was entertained which saw the Highest Lifts and Totals for the day put down by the athletes from High Octane Fitness. Indika Paranagama, Dhanushka Kodikara, Jayathilake and Weerasinghe were the only athletes to surpass a total of 600 kg and Deadlift over 250 kg.weerasinghe broke the Sri Lanka Raw Bench Press record of 170 kg with a lift of 177.5 kg with ease while Kodikara broke the Squat Record in the 93 kg class with a lift of 252.5 kg.

Weerasinghe broke the Sri Lanka Raw Bench Press record of 170 kg with a lift of 177.5 kg with ease while Kodikara broke the Squat Record in the 93 kg class with a lift of 252.5 kg

Jayathilake did a comfortable 300 kg Deadlift. The four giants seem to be preserving energy as they will be representing Sri Lanka in the Asian Championships in Mongolia in December.

Ranga Wimalasuriya and Suren Perera emerged second runners-up in their respective classes.the High Octane Fitness team dominated all the classes and went on to win the overall championship.the women’s team of High Octane Fitness emerged overall runners up with Ashini Budawatta winning the 47 kg class and Hashi Peiris winning the 57 kg class. Peiris broke the Deadlift record with a lift of 112.5 kg.

Sachi Samarasinghe was placed runner-up in the 57 kg class and Anya Rathnayake became third in the 63 kg class.