Powerlifter Ransilu lived his father's dream
As a juvenile sports enthusiast, the child in Ransilu Jayathilake always wanted to be a rugby player, though that was not exactly what his father, the well- known fitness guru, Mothilal Jayathilake had in mind. However Ransilu managed to sneak through and attend rugby training and play at junior level at Kingswood College in Kandy before one of his father's friends related the youngster of his father's dream.
His rugby career lasted, probably months or few seasons until Ransilu heard of his father's aspiration, then at the age of seven he took up weightlifting. And eight years later, at 15, he took up powerlifting, which he gives up in 2003 to focus on weightlifting yet again.
There he reaches the pinnacle, representing Sri Lanka at international meets in weightlifting, just as his father dreamed of, but Ransilu's walk is stalled in 2011 when he was tested positive for a banned substance intake. He received a ban of two years and after serving his term, Ransilu stated all fresh in powerlifting only to end up with closer to 40 international medals by now.
Ransilu's journey in powerlifting has got stronger and he continues to make Sri Lanka proud even today, despite the lack of proper backing.
"I grew up in an environment where weight discs, iron bars and physical training was just normal. My father was a weightlifter and he had this dream of making me a lifter and see me represent the country at the Olympics. But as a youngster, my dream was to become a rugby player. Today I'm a powerlifter and I guess that's what I'm destined to become," Ransilu, presently a multifaceted character in sports, told the Sunday Times.
As a weightlifter Ransilu's journey was a clear and perfectly constructed one. He showed great promise by winning quite a few international medals at regional level and at Commonwealth Games as a junior and moved on to be a top contender at national meets. However he unexpectedly fell into trouble in 2011 with the ban alongside fellow weightlifter Chinthana Geethal Vidanage.
" I have been tested nine times but in the 10th I was tested positive. I and Chinthana (Vidanage) were at the Olympic Qualifiers, and we had an energy drink called 'Jack 3D'. It's not a steroid, it's a stimulant. However I was banned for two years and Chinthana got four years, which was later reduced to two years. He chose to continue weightlifting and I switched to powerlifting," Ransilu recalled.
Presently at the age of 31, Ransilu is well aware of the consequences if he fails a doping test again. After what occurred in 2011, and the two years he spent to gather himself as an individual, transformed Ransilu into a more serious, well-organised and a man with a professional approach.
"We think that supplements are safe, but in most stimulants and fat burners there are substances banned by the WADA. The product seller does not say the truth sometimes but in most countries some products are not banned. For me, there will be no second chance. If I test positive again I will be banned for life. I know that and I am very careful after the 2011 incident. I was tested six times after 2011 and all tested negative. I'm 31 now and I have very limited time as a powerlifter to reach my goals."
At the same time, Ransilu used the two years of sabbatical to complete his degree in Business Management, to fully devote on his occupation as a Financial Advisor at Commercial Credit and Finance and also put more of his time as a trainer in rugby, which he has been doing since 2009.
"I have a Sports and Exercise Science diploma in Australia. I did not parachute into training," said the fitness fanatic.
Like his father Mothilal, who has earned a reputation as a physical trainer, Ransilu too has done quite a good number of stints at St. Anthony's College Katugastota, St. Peter's College, Prince of Wales' College, Science College and presently at St. Joseph's College as a trainer. At club level he has worked with Havelocks and presently is attached to Police SC Rugby. That way, though his dreams of pursuing a rugby career as a player never materialised, Ransilu continues to remain with the sport he loves in a different capacity.
But his ambition of making the country proud with more medals as a powerlifter remains fully intact, despite his busy day-to-day schedule. Ransilu and his band of powerlifters fly out of the country more than once an year to represent Sri Lanka at international meets, including the World Championships and the World Games.
Since 2013 Ransilu has won two gold medals at Singapore Open, s eve n gold medals at Commonwealth Games 2016 in Canada, three Asian Championships, a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2017 in South Africa, a world rank of 16 at the World Championship in 2016 in the USA and world rank of seven in Belarus and the Asian record.
"Powerlifting is risky than weightlifting but so far it's been a successful journey for me. If you take weightlifting, you need the strength of the upper body, but in powerlifting the total body strength is utilised," he explained.
Unlike in the recent past powerlifting has regained the spotlight of many mainly due to the efforts of Ransilu and his fellow competitors namely Danushka Kodikara, Indika Paranagama and Darin Weerasinghe. They all train together after duty hours and while encouraging more youngsters into powerlifting. As a result within a matter of years the sport has attracted over 200 juniors, more than 350 seniors and closer to 100 women and girls.
"In 2003 powerlifting was a popular sport in Sri Lanka, but it died a natural death within months. Until 2013 when it was revived by Nandasena Perera, people forgot the fact that powerlifting existed. There's very little state support, but my employer supported me immensely. With the backing of my family and friends I have been able to accomplish more than I imagined. The good news now is, sponsors have turned a positive eye on powerlifting and it's good for the future of the sport," he explained.
Ransilu is well aware that his active days in powerlifting are numbered. The most he could be would be another four or five years, during the period which he intends to win a medal at the World Championships and World Games. Renewing the Asian record of 315kg in his weight class of 120kg. Being the most experienced athlete in the trade at present Ransilu also has the intention of raking in and training newcomers, which he is performing now.