Mirigama girl Chamasha’s unlikely journey from Med School to Powerlifting Podiums From Biology to Barbells

Chamasha Ekanayake during her world record lift with Yulia

By Allaam Ousman

“I always saw myself in a lab coat, not in lifting belts and chalk. But sometimes, life redirects you to something you didn’t know you were made for.”

At just 24 years old, Chamasha Ekanayake has carved out an extraordinary path from a quiet childhood in Mirigama to standing atop the international stage as the only Sri Lankan world record holder in paired powerlifting. Her recent feat – setting a new world record of 310kg in paired deadlift at the 2025 Victory Cup in Minsk, Belarus – has not only put her name in the books of the NPA World Federation, but also ignited a new conversation about what Sri Lankan women can achieve in iron sports.

Born on November 17, 2000, Chamasha is the youngest of three sisters in a modest household. Her mother served as a nurse at Ragama Hospital, often working long shifts, while her father supported the family through private sector employment before emigrating to the Middle East. The strength and sacrifice she witnessed at home left an indelible mark.

“When I was little, I’d wait for Amma to come home in her blue uniform. She looked so calm and strong. I wanted to be like that – someone who brings healing,” she recalls.

Sculpting muscles for powerlifting and modelling

She attended Bandaranaike College, then transferred to DS Senanayake Central College, and finally completed her A/Ls in biology at Yashodara Devi Balika Vidyalaya. Though she excelled academically, scoring 8As and a B in her O/Ls, her dream of entering local medical faculty faced obstacles. Eventually, she made the bold decision to pursue a Doctor of Medicine degree at Gomel State Medical University in Belarus, where she’s currently in her fourth year.

Unknown to many, Chamasha was not new to the world of physical exertion. Growing up, she had a knack for athletics, especially running. “I used to sprint barefoot in school meets and play netball. I was always active, but I never imagined I’d become a powerlifter,” she admits.

However, after her A/Ls, her focus on studies and the emotional toll of transition saw her weight spike to nearly 70kg. It was during those early days in Belarus that she first took a long look at herself – physically and emotionally – and decided to take control.

“I didn’t feel good about myself. Not for anyone else, but for me. I wanted to change.” She started going to the gym, teaching herself movements by watching YouTube and observing others. Over time, she shed nearly 20kg through sheer consistency and curiosity.

Her transformation caught the attention of a friend and cousin, Shamal, who introduced her to Harsh D. Peiris, a Dubai-based Sri Lankan fitness coach and model. He became her remote guide and motivator.

With Dubai-based Sri Lankan coach Harsh D. Peiris

“Chamasha is something else,” Peiris says. “She has a rare genetic potential – strength, symmetry, discipline. I told her: you’re not just a girl who lifts; you’re someone who can break ceilings. Her ability to maintain a model’s body while pushing elite powerlifting numbers is almost unheard of.”

A chance meeting in her Belarusian gym would change everything. While struggling with a deadlift, she was approached by an older gentleman who asked for her weight. When she replied “53kg” he nodded and simply said: “You just pulled 100kg. That’s exceptional.”

He turned out to be none other than Alexander Godis, a Belarusian powerlifting legend and multi-time world record holder. Though unofficial, their mentorship blossomed. “He taught me everything – how to brace, how to breathe, how to believe in my own strength,” Chamasha says. “He made me feel like I belonged in that world.”

Alexander himself is in awe. “I’ve coached hundreds of athletes. But Chamasha has a heart – pure fire in her soul. She listens, learns, and lifts like no one her size I’ve seen.”

In April 2024, Chamasha competed in the Adrenaline Major League in Minsk, her first official outing. She recorded a 142.2kg deadlift, 95kg squat, and 52.5kg bench – earning her two titles: Master of Sport in Green Eventing and International Class Master of Sport in Deadlift.

But she was just warming up.

In May 2025, at the Victory Cup in Minsk, Chamasha stepped up in a mixed-pair event with Belarusian athlete Yulia, competing in the 82.5kg paired weight class while herself weighing only 56kg. Together, they shattered the previous world record of 302.5kg, replacing it with a jaw-dropping 310kg deadlift – a new world record.

How Chamasha transformed fat into lean muscle within six months

Individually, Chamasha also posted:
Deadlift: 160kg (beating her own 2024 record)
Squat: 110kg
Bench Press: 55kg

This earned her the prestigious ‘Elite’ title in deadlift for her weight class.

Managing medical school and a high-performance training regimen isn’t easy. Her days are planned to the minute.
“I wake up early, attend university, then come home, nap, and train for two and a half hours. I eat clean – five measured meals a day – and study again at night. Sometimes until 2 a.m. It’s hard, but I love it.”

Her meal plan, designed by Peiris, balances both modelling and powerlifting goals – lean muscle, strength, and no excess. It includes oats, almonds, eggs, chicken, basmati rice, tuna, and white fish. No sugar. No cheat meals. Not even tea.

A previous lateral meniscus knee injury, caused partly by under-nutrition and overtraining, prompted her to start supplements like protein and omega-3. But even pain hasn’t slowed her down.

“Harsh says my body is one-in-a-million. That I can deadlift like a beast and still look like a model. That gives me confidence.”

Though yet to walk a runway, the modelling world is beckoning. “I haven’t entered any pageants yet, but Harsh is helping me prepare for IFA events in Malaysia and Thailand,” she says. “But as a student abroad, visas and travel costs are a challenge. I don’t want to burden my parents.”

Still, she’s determined. “Right now, I’m just going with the flow – training, sculpting, building. When the time is right, I’ll be ready.”

Belarussian legend Alexander Kodis giving her tips

Her focus now is on Sri Lanka’s National Championship in August, where she hopes to break the national deadlift record. She’s also exploring uncommon strength categories like chest dips (up to 30kg added) and bicep curls (up to 52kg).

“For curls, I only need to hit 60kg for my weight class to qualify for competition. I’m getting close.”

Chamasha knows her journey is bigger than herself. “One of my classmates said girls don’t belong in gyms. I took her with me. Now she’s deadlifting too. This is what I live for – not just medals, but change.”

Despite being thousands of miles from home, she’s raising Sri Lanka’s flag with every lift. With dreams of becoming a sports doctor, a national powerlifting champion, and perhaps even a model on an international stage, her path is bold and beautifully her own.

“Maybe one day I’ll be in a clinic, treating injuries by day and setting records by night. Who says I can’t?”

And really – who would dare say otherwise?