Sri Lanka made a historic start to the 2026 World University Weightlifting Championship, winning one gold and one bronze medal on the opening day of the competition in Doha, Qatar.
The championship, which began on September 8, saw Avindu Liyanagedara of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura claim gold in the men’s 60kg category, while Nipun Dissanayake of Sabaragamuwa University secured bronze in the men’s 65kg category.
Liyanagedara delivered a winning total of 237kg, lifting 105kg in the snatch and 132kg in the clean & jerk. Spain’s Gomez Martinez finished second with 228kg, while Chun-Yen Tang of Chinese Taipei took third with 227kg.
In the 65kg category, Iran’s Mohhadov Tehran won gold with a total of 289kg, while Moldova’s Ion Badanev claimed silver with 288kg. Sri Lanka’s Nipun Dissanayake secured bronze with a total of 220kg, lifting 100kg in the snatch and 120kg in the clean & jerk.
These medals mark a historic milestone for Sri Lankan university sport, as they are reportedly the first medals won by Sri Lankan athletes in any sport in the more than 60-year history of the World University Championships.
The Sri Lanka University Sports Association has fielded a team of five male and two female athletes for the championship. Sujan Walgampaya of the University of Colombo is serving as the team manager and coach.
The 2026 World University Weightlifting Championship will continue until September 12.
