Polonnaruwa, Dec 28, Thu – In a defining moment for Sri Lanka’s weightlifting scene, Chathurika Priyanthi, proudly donning the colors of the Sri Lanka Navy, has etched her name in history. The stage was set on the second day of the Youth, Junior, and Senior National Championship currently being held at the National Sports Complex in Gallella, Polonnaruwa, where Chathurika’s extraordinary feat took center stage on Thursday.
Competing in the demanding 87kg weight category, Chathurika reached a historic milestone by lifting an impressive 90kg in snatch, 113kg in clean and jerk, accumulating a staggering total of 203kgs, becoming the first Sri Lanka woman to surpass the 200kg barrier. This exceptional performance shattered not just one but three Sri Lanka records, propelling her into the spotlight as the first woman in Sri Lanka’s weightlifting history to lift the highest amount of weight.
These newly set records surpass her own remarkable achievements earlier this year at the National Sports Festival, where she held records of 83kg in snatch, 111kg in clean and jerk, and a total of 195kg. Chathurika’s unwavering determination and skill have now earned her the distinction of holding a total of nine Sri Lanka weightlifting records.
“I am really happy to become the most accomplished weightlifter in the country and the sole record breaker in the tournament so far,” expressed the elated Chathurika immediately after her awe-inspiring performance in Polonnaruwa.
At 31 years old, Chathurika, an alumna of Vijitha Maha Vidyalaya in Dickwella, not only stands as the first woman to set records in the ongoing Sri Lanka National Weightlifting Championship but also holds the title of the only female weightlifter with the highest number of Sri Lanka records.
Her illustrious career spans over a decade, representing Sri Lanka from 2010 to 2023. Chathurika has left an indelible mark on the international stage, securing a silver in 2022 and bronze medal in 2015 Commonwealth Championships, as well as claiming two medals in the Bronze meal in 2016 India and Silver medal in 2019 Nepal South Asian Games. Her prideful representation of Sri Lanka in the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games underscores her enduring commitment to the sport and cements her legacy as a true weightlifting champion.
