Darin and High Octane Fitness shatter Sri Lanka records

National power lifting champion and Asian bronze medalist Darin Weerasinghe and a team of eight took part in the Annual National Independence Bench Press Championship, organised by the Sri Lanka Power Lifting Federation held on 4 February in Bandaragama.

Darin broke the Sri Lanka bench press record in his first attempt with 195 kg and went on to do a 200 kg lift which was given three green lights by the referees indicating a good lift. To everyone’s surprise he attempted the third lift with 210 kg 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 hit the magical 200 kg bench press mark and it shows that Sri Lankan athletes have the potential to compete in the international arena. The previous record in Sri Lanka was 180 kg.

The ladies’ team of High Octane dominated the Under-63 kg women’s category beating off 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 105 kg division while Chandana Thilakaratne and Danielle Elwell secured a bronze medal in the 83 kg and 93 kg divisions respectively. Ranga Wimalasooriya came in 4th in the 120 kg 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 has stamped its authority by training some of the strongest athletes in Sri Lanka.