Trinity - weight lifting champions

S M Jiffrey ABDEEN- Kandy sports correspondent

Trinity College stamped their class at weightlifting when they became champions at National School Games organised by the Sri Lanka Schools Weightlifting Association and the Ministry of Education and worked off at Ananda College Hall, Colombo recently.

The team was captained by Kevin Bandara and coached by national weight- lifter P. K. G. N. Dayan who won a medal at the SAF Games a few years back and is presently attached to the Ministry of Sports.

The Trinitians known for their prowess at rugby, swimming and cricket have now entered a different area. Coach Dayan said that weight also helps to build up power for other sports and this is specially necessary off season. This doubt helps Murad Ramzeen who was one of the weightlifters in the team and this year captained Trinity College and Sri Lanka under 19 team at rugby.

At the National School Games Trinity won four gold medals, two silver medals and one Bronze medal.

Skipper Kevin Bandara competing in the under 20 age group and under 94 Kilogramme body weight category set up a new National Schools Games record by Clean and Jerking 112 kilogrammes. His other lift was in the Snatch where he lifted 80 kilogrammes making a total lift of 192 kilogrammes.

Another record breaker was Anuradha Karunatilleke who competing in the under 18 Age Group in the 94 kg plus body Weight Category also clean and Jerked 90 kilogrammes which is a new games record. His other lift was 60 kg in the Snatch making a total lift of 150 kg.

The weightlifter receive all the encouragement and guidance from the Acting Principal Brigadier Udaya Ariyaratne. Shayan Abeywarne is the Master In Charge.