28-year-old Satkunarasa Pushanthan is one of the most talented upcoming powerlifters in Sri Lankan. His recent performance in the Asian/Pacific/African Powerlifting & Benchpress Equipped and Classic Championships 2023 held in South Korea, has set all eyes on the Jaffna boy. The Daily Morning Sports was fortunate enough to have a chat with the athlete.
How did you get into the sport?
I initially joined a gym to reduce my weight at the age of 17. I started my fitness journey wanting to reduce weight but my instructor identified my physique and my abilities and asked me to take up the sport. Thanks to his suggestion today I achieved this place.
Talk about your family, childhood and school days?
Altogether six members are in my family including my parents. I have two elder brothers and another elder sister and I’m the youngest in the family. I started schooling at Hindu Primary School in Chaawakachcheri. After grade five scholarship, unfortunately I didn’t get enough marks to continue my secondary education in the same school. So my admission was rejected by the school.
So I had to move to Drieberry College in Chaawakachcheri. That is where I did the rest of my studies. The school helped me a lot and they continue to help me to date.
How are the facilities in Jaffna?
Sports facilities are very hard to find and it’s not enough at all in Jaffna. I’m currently training at JK Fitness in Jaffna. But I travel twice a month to Colombo for my proper training. I come to Colombo for training because the international standard training equipment and plates are only found at High Octane fitness.
In Jaffna, sports don't get the due respect or recognition. There is little to no financial support. It is very sad to see this state in my hometown.
How are the costs related to your sport?
It’s a really expensive sport and I’m finding it very hard to find funds by myself. In my sport, I need a lot of nutrition as well and that costs me a lot. Also the fact that I have to travel to Colombo for training cost me a lot as well. I even had to quit my job which I was doing for six years, in order to prepare for the last international competition I competed in. I wanted to dedicate my whole life to this game because I am confident that I can bring glory to the country.
Who helped you along this difficult journey to champion?
My family has always backed me to continue to play the sport. My friends and sometimes my relatives have supported me financially as well. I would like to mention three of my friends namely Daasan, Vibusan and Subararan who have immensely helped me in the sporting career.
Who were your coaches and trainers in this sports career?
A.J. Krishna is my current trainer and I continue to follow his training. I have learnt so much from the seniors in the sport, the current National players, especially our National team’s captain. I learn so much from them and also from experts in the field. Their inputs did help me a lot in advancing my career.
Luckily, there is no jealousy or other petty issues among the players and seniors. And so they share all their experience and knowledge with us, the juniors. There is no discrimination in our sport and I’m so fortunate in that way.
What was your first achievement in the sport?
The very first achievement in my career was achieved in 2013 when I was placed 2nd in the All Island Heavy Weightlifting Competition.
What was your best achievement in the sport?
There are three such achievements which I consider as the biggest in my career so far. I hold the weightlifting record with 792kg. I also lifted 335kg in the squat and then 183kg in the Benchpress. All these were achieved last year.
How is the support extended from the Sri Lanka Weightlifting Federation?
The Federation has helped me a lot to the best of their ability. But I think if they can support more, we can bring more glory for the country. Especially if they can send us abroad for seminars to enhance our knowledge in the sport. It would be a big boost for the sport in the country.
When you come for training in Colombo, where do you stay or do you travel back to Jaffna?
These days I stay with one of my friends, when I come to colombo. Earlier I used to rent out rooms and stay in colombo. But it became very expensive and I couldn’t afford it so that is why I am staying with my friend now. If I have some sort of financial support I can afford to live in Colombo and train more with the international level training equipment.
Any major competition coming up soon?
Two tournaments that I’m looking forward to are the Asian games and the Commonwealth Games.
What are your future aspirations?
Sri Lanka is yet to win a medal at a world competition with all countries participating. My dream is to participate and achieve victory. And I wish to achieve that without going anywhere else. I want to make it a reality while I live here.