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by S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy Sports Correspondent

Fifteen year old Kingswood College schoolboy Ransilu Jayatilleke added to his long list of winning performances in the 'iron game' when he brought honour to Sri Lanka by winning a Bronze Medal at the World Sub Junior Power Lifting Championship held in Chiyai City in Taiwan, a few days back.

This performance by young Ransilu Jayatilleke has created history as this is the first time in the history of power lifting in Sri Lanka that a power lifter had won a medal at a World Championship in any iron game. Further more what is most astounding at Ransilu Jayatillake's performance is that he was the youngest power lifter at this championship in which 22 countries participated.

Russia won both the Men's and Women's Team Championship and United States of America was Runner up in both Team events according to the National Coach and Vice President of the Sri Lanka Power Lifting Federation D. U. M. Jayatillake.

Young Ransilu Jayatilleke who has still to appear at his G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination had to compete in the 125 kilogramme body weight category due to his massive built which he most probably inherited from his big made father D. U. Mohottilal Jayatillake himself a triple International. He first lifted 240 kgs. in the Squat which brought him a silver medal. Next he squeezed in 100 kg. in the Bench Press and this brought him a bronze medal. His final effort was a massive 240 kg. in the Deaf Lift. Had he mustered a further 5 kg. in the Squat Event, he would have won a gold in that event as he was just five kg behind the USA lifter who won the gold medal.

The results of the 125 kg. event is as follows:

Gold Medal - Rasmussern Nicholas (USA) Total 677.5 kgs.

Silver Medal Chung Mao Fend (Chinese Taipei) Total 627.5 kgs.

Bronze Medal Ransilu Jayatillake (Sri Lanka) Total 580 kgs.

The fourth, fifth and sixth places were occupied by a Japanese and two Indians.

Ransilu Jayatillake has already won a silver medal at the Asian Youth Boys Power Lifting championship and Silver Medal at the Asian Junior Power Lifting Championships 2001 at International level.

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