Sri Lanka claimed one gold and one bronze medal on the opening day of the 2026 World University Weightlifting Championship, currently being held in Doha, Qatar.
Avindu Liyanagedara, a final year student of the Department of Sports Science, Faculty of Applied Science, University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ), won the gold medal in the Men’s 60kg category on September 8, lifting a total of 237kg (Snatch 105kg, Clean & Jerk 132kg). He finished ahead of Gomez Martinez of Spain (228kg) and Chun-Yen Tang of Chinese Taipei (227kg).
Nipun Dissanayake of the University of Sabaragamuwa won bronze in the Men’s 65kg category, with a total of 220kg (Snatch 100kg, Clean & Jerk 120kg), behind Mohhadov Tehran of Iran (289kg) and Ion Badanev of Moldova (288kg).
This marks the first time in over 60 years of World University Games history that a Sri Lankan athlete has won a medal in any sport at the event.
The Sri Lanka University Sports Association fielded a team of five men and two women for the championship. Suzan Walgampaya of the University of Colombo is serving as team manager and coach. The tournament continues until September 12.
Results
Men’s 60kg
1. Avindu Liyanagedara (Sri Lanka) – 237kg
2. Gomez Martinez (Spain) – 228kg
3. Chun-Yen Tang (Chinese Taipei) – 227kg
Men’s 65kg
1. Mohhadov Tehran (Iran) – 289kg
2. Ion Badanev (Moldova) – 288kg
3. Nipun Dissanayake (Sri Lanka) – 220kg
