Darin Weerasinghe raises the bar

Representing one’s country is a dream few sportsmen realise but winning a medal lies in the realm of great expectations. Reigning Sri Lankan Powerlifting Champion Darin Weerasinghe’s recent win at the Asian Powerlifting Championships in India has paved the way for what many would call an impossible dream - participating in the Olympics.

Having set his sights on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Darin has to qualify through three rounds in his pet event, the 120kg Powerlifting (three lifts, not the customary two as in Weightlifting) which is set to debut as a medal sport during the 2020 Olympics.

“There are three rounds of qualifications. I have passed the first round with two more later. The World Championships will be held next year in August and the final round will be held at the end of 2018, two years before the Olympics.”

As an Olympic hopeful, Weerasinghe is undeterred about what many believe to be an insurmountable task. “The biggest hurdle was to pass the first one.” 

He acknowledged that his participation at the Games would probably go down as a first in the country’s history. “It is the first time a Sri Lankan has passed this stage in a strength sport,” he noted.

Weerasinghe’s success in the sporting arena is not limited to powerlifting. He is also a champion race car driver. Supporting him in his journey to live his sporting dreams is United Tractor & Equipment Ltd. (UTE), the sole authorised dealer for CAT construction equipment and power generators in Sri Lanka.

“I have been sponsored by UTE for five years now. They have been sponsoring my motor racing and have helped me a lot in motor racing. They have also come in as a sponsor for my weightlifting and powerlifting as well. They continue to back me and have been a really good sponsor,” Weerasinghe says.

While the road to 2020 seems long, Weerasinghe’s unflagging optimism is tempered by common sense. “We (Sri Lanka’s other Powerlifting Olympic aspirant Ransilu Jayathilake and him) have a four-year gap and hope to take it step-by-step by progressing and getting results,” he explained.

Weerasinghe said his interest with powerlifting grew into an addiction. “I always aspire to train with people who are stronger than me, always trying to outdo each other, lifting bigger and bigger weights,” he said.

He secured silver at his first competition in 2010 - the Sri Lanka Powerlifting Nationals - and from then onwards continued from strength to strength. “I have been winning pretty much everything I have participated in including getting Gold at many powerlifting invitational events held in Singapore.” He is also the holder of four national records.

While he continues to successfully balance his gruelling sports training with the demands of his thriving fitness business, Weerasinghe is on track to become Sri Lanka’s first Olympic participant in a strength sport.

Having begun realising his dream in such a unique and different sport, Weerasinghe has a few words of advice for Olympic aspirants. “One thing we learnt by going to international competitions is that if you want to be at the top, discipline is the most important thing; you have to be consistent. Set yourself realistic goals and most of all enjoy what you are doing.

“UTE who has been at the forefront of the tough construction equipment and power generation business in Sri Lanka with the world-renowned Caterpillar brand has found a great Brand Ambassador in Darin who represents strength, fitness, discipline and efficiency. All these qualities are in the UTE-CAT combination that is ‘Built for It’ and we know our journey with Darin will continue,” stated UTE President Prasan Fernando.