Sweet 16 for youth weight lifters

The medal winners: Silver medalists Senal Ravindu (D.S. Senanayake Vidyalaya, Colombo), G.N.N. de Silva, A.A.V.D. Adikaram and V.N.T. Weerasinghe (both Royal College, Polonnaruwa), K.D. Wenura (Vijitha MV, Niyagama), Hasareli Nisansala (P. de S. Kularathna Vidyalaya, Ambalangoda), Ramitha Ramanayake (Royal Institute, Colombo) and D.K.U.K.S.G. Indrathilake (Sewanagala MV, Polonnaruwa). Bronze medalists H.M.M.D. Dissanayake (Walagamba MV, Devagiripura), D.P.P.I.N. Diyalagoda (Sevanapitiya MV, Polonnaruwa), B.G.M.S. Karunarathne (Vijaya Vidyalaya, Matale), R.W.M. Rashmika (Army), Dilma Nimesha (Kingswood College, Kandy), R.L.S.R. Laksarani (Army), R.A.D.B. Janithma (Royal College, Nagoda) and P. Tharunan (Hindu College, Jaffna)

By Susil Premalal

Sri Lankan weightlifters delivered an impressive performance at the Commonwealth Youth Weightlifting Championship 2026, winning a total of 16 silver and bronze medals.

The championship, which featured participation from over 40 Commonwealth countries, was held in Apia, Samoa.

A 23-member Sri Lankan contingent took part in the competition, with 16 athletes securing medals—an outstanding achievement, according to weightlifting coach R.B. Wickramasinghe.

The Weightlifting Federation of Sri Lanka is expected to consider these performances when selecting athletes for the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Sri Lanka secured eight silver medals and eight bronze medals at the event. However, no Sri Lankan athlete managed to win a gold medal.