News

69th & 21st JAPAN WEIGHTLIFTING MAN AND WOMAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

51 woman and 72 men competed in Memorial Gymnasium on Saitama (04-05.07.2009). ,

12 Japan senior and 2 juniors (U20) records were broken. (By Marek Drzewowski)

Results

One Sri Lankan male athlete competed in 69kg category and got bronze medal.
He is living in Japan because he got married with a Japanese girl. He met her when he participated in 2008 Asian Championships in Kanazawa City, Japan. They got married in March 2009. The last year’s Asian Championships the first visit to Japan for him.

– Name; PEIRIS Sudesh – Nationality; (still) Sri Lankan – DOB; 3 Feb 1985 – Results (all are in 69kg category) 08 Asian Champs (S 110, C&J 156, T 266) 16th place 09 National Champs of Japan (S120, C&J 159, T 279) 3rd place Personal best in SRI; S 123, C&J 161

< Interview >

– Where do you live and where do you train now?
I live in Kanazawa City and I do training at Kanazawa Gakuin University. (Two of 6 Japanese 2008 Olympic lifters are working for this university.)
– What is the first impression of Japan?
Japan is cold because it was in April and the temperature was 20 degrees less than in Sri Lanka (10C / 30C).
– How do you feel since you live in Japan?
My home sick is storng but I feel happy in Japan. As a result of good quality food I gained some extra bodyweight. Before coming to Japan it was 64kg but now I have 70kg. Japanese people are friendly and I am satisfied with my training circumstance with my coaches, Mr. OBATAKE Naoyuki and Mr. KIKUTA Miyoji (Both of them are the coaches of Japanese Olympians, SAITO Rika and SHINTANI Yoshito. Mr.Kikuta is ex-national coach.)
– How do you feel after this competition?
Although I was sick a week before the competition and my results were lower than my personal best, the Bronze medal is really fine.
– What is your future plan in weightlifting?
I am aiming at 2010 Commonwealth Games and I am going to retire after the Games.
– What is your goal in life?
To be happy with my wife. (by Reiko Chinen)