Navy becomes champs in weightlifting at 12th Defence Services Games

Sri Lanka Navy clinched both men’s and women’s championship in weightlifting at the 12^th Defence Services Games. The weightlifting championship organised by the Defence Services Sports Board and Sri Lanka Air Force was held at the National Sports Complex in Polonnaruwa on 22^nd December 2022. The trophy for the Best Lifter in the tournament was won by the Commonwealth medalist Leading Seaman DMIC Dissanayake.

Navy’s male and female lifters took part in 07 weight classes and brought much glory to the Navy in respective events. The Navy sealed the men’s championship for their superlative performances and secured 05 gold medals, 01 silver medal and 02 bronze medals.

Accordingly, Leading Seaman DMIC Dissanayake, Ordinary Seaman VCG Vitharage, Ordinary Seaman SDIU Senadheera, Ordinary Seaman SM Peters and Ordinary Seaman WPU Charuka won gold medals in 73, 89, 96, 102 and over 109 kg weight classes respectively. Meanwhile, Ordinary Seaman WPGDS Jayawickrama won the silver medal in over 109kg weight class. In addition, Leading Seaman EADKA Egodawatta and Leading Seaman MDAC Pushpakumara competed in 67kg and 109 weight classes also won bronze medals for the Navy.

Going shoulder to shoulder with men, the female lifters of the Navy also won the women’s title, bagging 05 gold medals, 02 silver medals and 01 bronze medal. Consequently, Woman Ordinary Seaman JGUR Gunathilake, Woman Ordinary Seaman KMDP Ishani, Woman Able Seaman WCM Warnakulasuriya, Woman Able Seaman BC Priyanthi and Woman Ordinary Seaman DMHP Dissanayake won gold medals in 45, 55, 59, 87 and over 87kg weight classes respectively. Moreover, Woman Ordinary Seaman SS Kumarasinghe and Woman Able Seaman MMD Harishchandra won 02 bronze medals in 76 and 87kg weight classes. In the meantime, Woman Ordinary Seaman HNK Fernando also won a bronze medal in 81kg weight class.