Shashika ranked second in the world
Weightlifting prodigy Shashika Ekanayake who won a gold medal at the recently held Commonwealth Youth Weightlifting Championships has been ranked second in the world in his weight class according to latest rankings issued by the International Weightlifting Federation.
Ekanayake is sharing the second spot with Jong Ju of Korea, while Chinese champion J. I. A. Xionghui is ranked world number one in the youth category.
The 17-year-old who has a personal best of 206kgs is ranked second for his performance (197kgs) in Penang last month where he won the gold medal in the 50kgs weight class at the Commonwealth Youth Weightlifting Championships.
There are only two South Asians in the top ten and India’s R. U. Jamjang is ranked fifth for a total weight of 195kgs.
In the women’s category Royal College, Polonnaruwa weightlifter Dinuda Abeysekara is ranked 11th in a list dominated by Chinese, Thailand, Korean and Mexican weightlifters.
(Courtesy: The Island)

Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Court issues arrest warrant for Mahindananda Aluthgamage May 16, 2025
- Sri Lanka President urges action on rural development, production-based economy May 16, 2025
- Death penalty for three in major heroin trafficking case May 16, 2025
- Sri Lanka sees strong growth in tourist arrivals in early May 2025 May 16, 2025
- Two men arrested at BIA with Rs. 210 million worth of gold hidden in vehicle parts May 16, 2025