2023 SLUG Weightlifting Championship unfolded for two whole days; on 2nd and 3rd of September, at Eastern University of Sri Lanka. The air was charged with anticipation and the determination to pursue excellence to take their University steps towards the Trophy. Both men and women athletes came shoulder to shoulder with metal under nine weight classes where they were also able to add new records to SLUG history.
DAY 1
On the day one; 2nd of September, where there were 4 weight classes under women category and 5 weight classes under men’s the first event was 45 kg Women. As University of Sri Jayewardenepura reigns on the top on the SLUG Leaderboard, it was no surprise when D.M.S. Samarakoon from University of Sri Jayewardenepura achieved the gold medal in the first event of the championship. Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka took the second place home when University of Colombo achieved the third place in the 45 kg weight class.
In the second event of the day; 76 kg Women, R. Thashanthini from University of Jaffna took the gold medal home hinting us who’s going to be the champions of the day. Followed by University of Sri Jayewardenepura who achieved the second place and University of Kelaniya who achieved the third place.
Under the weight class 81 kg, we were again able to witness University of Jaffna showcasing Iron Women as R. Thaakshajini conquered the event taking the first place. University of Sri Jayewardenepura took the second place and the third place was secured by Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka.
A.W.W.M. Gunawardena was able to take the first place under the 87 kg weight class, adding more points to current leaderboard reigners; University of Sri Jayewardenepura. University of Peradeniya was able to take the second place followed by University of Jaffna who took the third place.
We witnessed University of Jaffna taking first place again at the last women’s event of the day 1 “over 87 kg”. It was S. Jeewamalar who accomplished that victory for University of Jaffna. University of Sri Jayewardenepura took the second place home when University of Colombo took the third place home.
All next categories on the day 1 were men’s categories, and that’s when new records started getting added to SLUG record books. In the first men’s event of the day 1; 55 kg weight class, A.M.T.D. Thilakarathna coming from University of Kelaniya was able to set a new record hitting a 105 kg clean & jerk, 85 kg snatch counting total of 190 kg. Followed by University of Peradeniya taking the second place and University of Sri Jayewardenepura taking the third place.
University of Sri Jayewardenepura conquered the next event “61 kg weight class” as A.G.H.M.K. Ekanayake successfully grasped first place while University of Moratuwa achieved second place and University of Colombo earned third place.
Setting the second new record of the day, L.G.A.S. Liyanagedara hailing from University of Sri Jayewardenepura attained the first place under the 67 kg weight class, hitting a 129 kg clean & jerk and a 106 kg snatch adding up to a total of 235 kg. University of Colombo earned the second place followed by Eastern University of Sri Lanka securing the third place.
Not long after that record we witnessed another new record from W.R.M.A.S. Wijeratne coming from University of Colombo as he was able to hit a 98 kg Snatch under the 73 kg weight class also earning the first place for University of Colombo. University of Kelaniya was able to secure the second place while University of Moratuwa earned the third place.
Not to be outdone, another record setter from University of Moratuwa added a new record under the 81 kg weight class. It was M.I.D. Perera who earned a 120 kg clean & jerk, 99 kg snatch and a total 215 kg. University of Moratuwa was followed by University of Colombo who secured the second place and University of Peradeniya achieving the third place, also marking the end of the day 1 events.
DAY 2
Day 2 of SLUG Weightlifting Championship started as the air charged with intense anticipation flowed through the Eastern University of Sri Lanka. As, at the end of the day we can see which university conquers the championship, athletes from all across universities came prepared well, keeping their aims stable just like iron to take their university towards the trophy.
First event of day 2 started with the 71 kg weight class in women’s. At the end of the event Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka took the first place as S.M.L.C. Maduwanthi successfully lifted the barbell. University of Sri Jayewardenepura earned the second place followed by University of Colombo securing the third place.
At the second event of the day which was 49 kg weight class, University of Jaffna again was able to showcase their iron women as N. Mithusha achieved first place. Not surprisingly University of Jaffna was also able to take the second place under the category when University of Peradeniya secured the third place.
The next event was 55 kg women, when University of Jaffna again conquered the first place as H.A.I.N. Rathnayake lifted the barbell with ease. The second place of the event went to Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka followed by University of Sri Jayewardenepura secured the third place.
Under the 59 kg weight category, A.M. Tissera hailing from University of Ruhuna earned the first place when Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka secured the second place and University of Colombo secured the third place.
At the last women’s event of SLUG Weightlifting Championship, which was 64 kg weight class, K.I.M. Samarasinghe from University of Sri Jayewardenepura successfully grabbed the first place followed by University of Jaffna earning the second place and Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka secured the third place.
Stepping into the Men’s events, T. Narmathan from University of Jaffna successfully earned the first place under the 89 kg weight class. University of Kelaniya was able to secure the second place and the third place was secured by University of Ruhuna.
In the next weight class category we were able to witness the first new record of the day 2 and the last new record of the championship when P.M. Malawana from University of Colombo conquered the first place under the 96 kg weight class. He was able to successfully hit a 147 kg clean & jerk and a 128 kg snatch, counting a total of 275 kg. University of Sri Jayewardenepura landed on the second place and University of Vavuniya was able to secure the third place.
Under the 102 kg weight class, S.S. Jagoda from University of Colombo achieved the first place followed by University of Moratuwa earning the second place and University of Peradeniya earning the third place.
In the next event, W.K.M. Rodrigo from University of Peradeniya earned the first place while University of Sri Jayewardenepura secured the second place and University of Moratuwa achieved the third place.
As the last event of the Weightlifting Championship came up which was over 109 kg category, L.C. Weerasekara from University of Peradeniya achieved the first place followed by University of Sri Jayewardenepura earning the second place and University of Colombo securing the third place.
And just like the SLUG Weightlifting Championship came to end. In the Men’s overall result sheet we could observe University of Peradeniya placed in Third place after earning a total number of 15 points, while University of Sri Jayewardenepura was placed in second place after earning 20 points. Not surprisingly University of Colombo conquered the first place earning a total number of 23 points showing everyone who’s the best at the Game of Iron.
Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka took the second runners up title as they scored a total number of 16 points in the final result sheet. Scoring 28 points University of Sri Jayewardenepura earned the first runners up title. Not surprisingly University of Jaffna became women’s overall champions scoring a total number of 32 points proving they own the most powerful iron women of Sri Lanka.
At SLUG Weightlifting Championship we witnessed every competitor from all across universities compete with their full potential and unquenchable thirst to take their university another step towards the golden trophy. We also observed all that hard work being paid off for the best among the competitors. Throughout the weightlifting championship we were able to witness a total number of 5 new records were added to the SLUG record books.
Lastly, we as MoraSpirit would like to wish all the best and Congratulations to every winner, record breaker and every competitor for gathering at the SLUG XIV to test the limits of their physical and mental prowess because It's not just about lifting weights; it's about pushing the boundaries of human potential too.
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