Full Name - Kavinda Ransilu Jayathilake
Hometown - Kandy
Status - Married
Birthday - 15/12/1986
Idols - Pyross Dimas (3 times Olympic medalist in weightlifting)
Passions - Rugby and all other strength sports
Favourite Colour - Blue
What made you get into powerlifting?
My father was a former weight and powerlifter. When I was little, I used to wear his clothes and shoes whenever he came home from gym, and started lifting with a broomstick. It started with that I guess.
What exactly is powerlifting?
Powerlifting is a sport which started in the USA military to strength their soldiers' strength levels. It's basically the sport which is taken up by the strongest men in the world. It specifically has 3 disciplines which include squats, bench presses and dead lifts. And the overall total weight of those 3 lifts determines the winner.
What are the governing bodies which have helped you in all your achievements?
So far I have won 24 international medals. But up to now I didn't get any sponsorship or support from the government. I am the first Commonwealth Youth Games medalist for Sri Lanka at any sport and I see that the young athletes who win events get plenty of publicity and financial support by the sports ministry. But I didn't get any.
What are the challenges you face? Positive and negative?
Well I tested positive at a doping test in 2011 and I was banned for 2 years due to an unknown supplement I was taking. And everyone thought that my sporting career was over. But there is a quote I firmly believe in: "Every man fails but champions simply get back up and start again." And I proved just that.
Describe yourself in a single word.
Hulk. Haha!
Tell me something that no one knows about you.
Hmm... I guess no one knows that I love to eat cake! I am a huge fan of cake and whenever I get a chance to cheat on my diet schedule, I go and eat cake.
Tell me about your family.
My mother's name is Ayanthi and my father's name is Mothilal and he's my coach as well. My sister is Ranmini and my wife's name is Udara.
How is married life treating you?
I guess I am experiencing the best days of my life and she always makes my food and treats my injuries. And she's a microbiologist so I think I got the perfect wife for an athlete since she's being my physiotherapist, dietitian and most importantly my main motivator. And before her my mum was doing that job for me.
You became a National Champion in 2000. Tell me about it.
I was the National Champion from 2002 to now. And it was easy to be a champion but I had to work hard to maintain that and live as a champion.
What was one of the challenges of coming up as a Powerlifter / Strongman?
Well there are many as we are living in a third world country. Equipment wise and lifestyle wise. Technologically we are far behind other countries, but I believe that I always had the motivation and the heart to overcome all those obstacles and raise the lion flag on the international arena.
You started at a young age, what did your parents say about it?
As I mentioned before, my dad was a weight lifter so I was living in a sporting environment at home. But when I was little, I wanted to play rugby and I was playing for Kingswood College, Kandy. But my dad didn't let me play as he wanted to make me a weight lifter.
Where are you flying off to tomorrow? Tell me about this championship.
I am taking part in the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships in Canada on December 3. I think I will be the first one to win a medal at Commonwealth for Sri Lanka in powerlifting.
What's the heavyset you have carried?
I have 302.5 kgs.
In the world of strength sports who is your idol, or the one you respect the most?
Pyrros Dimas, who is a three time Olympic medalist from Greece.
It is often said that powerlifting is what the shorter guys do, and who don’t have the leverage to compete at the highest level in strongman competitions. Do you agree?
I guess it's a myth. And you find many myths in the field of strength sports these days. You don't grow taller when u lift heavy weights but scientifically nothing has been proven.
Away from competition do you coach any other athletes?
I work as a rugby fitness trainer for Science College who became champions at the Schools Knockouts this time and for Havelocks Sports Club. And I train Dhanushka Kodikara who will be taking part at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships in Canada this time.
What were your biggest achievements in 2015?
Well I won a gold medal at the Singapore Grand Prix but I'm sure the medal that I'm going to win at Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships will be the best.
How do you think you stack up against other strongmen?
Well in Sri Lanka up to now, I don't have any competition. The guy who lifts next to me is 80 kgs behind by my weight but I believe we have much potential in Sri Lanka.
Do you believe with the arrival of professional powerlifting, that this sport is moving in the right direction in Sri Lanka?
Well, it's still a no. The federation has got to move along with the world. To be honest our federation doesn't even have a website. We will probably look at a change of the federation by next year.
What would you suggest to someone wanting to get stronger?
Well if it's for an athlete my philosophy is no supplement will make you stronger. You have to be blessed by the people around you and you have to live a good social life. Help others and be blessed all the time. The more blessings you get by the people the more stronger you get. I don't use any supplements.
Have you spoken to the sports ministry about getting national recognition for powerlifting National recognition? And what did they say?
Well I didn't get a chance yet. But if I win a medal, I guess I will get a chance to see the minister and talk.
Personal Space
What is the biggest lie you’ve ever told?
I don't smoke.
What would you do if your ex-girlfriend suddenly wanted to get back together?
Buy a ticket and run away for a holiday with my wife before my wife finds out.
What is the most dangerous thing you’ve ever done?
Got into street fight with 15 guys and I was all alone.
What do you think of open relationships?
It's all about the attitude of a person. Some love to stay committed and some love to have their freedom.
Do you have any enemies? Why?
I don't have any. Even if I make someone angry with me, i go and apologise because the blessings of everyone is needed if you want to succeed in life.
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