Lankan athlete succeeds in bench press in the UK

By Sujeeva Nivunhella reporting from London

Sri Lanka’s Suren Perera has emerged victorious in the British Bench Press Championship under the 59kg category, dethroning the reigning two-year champion, Ben Hampson.

Perera said in an interview that his pursuit of excellence in the sport began in 2018 in Sri Lanka, where he quickly became the All Island champion for his weight in his debut competition.

But financial constraints barred him from participating in two Asian championships. However, determination and perseverance led him to the 2021 Asian Championship in Istanbul, Turkey, where he not only represented Sri Lanka but also secured the gold medal by overcoming formidable opponents from India and Japan.

Expressing his gratitude, Perera acknowledged his first and only trainer, Ransilu Jayatilleke, for guiding him through the initial stages of his remarkable career. Despite his early successes, Perera highlighted the challenges he faced due to the economic and political climate in Sri Lanka, coupled with political interference in sports, prompting his decision to leave the country. Undeterred by the hurdles, Perera is now seizing a unique opportunity to represent England, with plans underway to navigate the qualification process.