Weightlifting star Sudesh retires

Weightlifter Sudesh Peiris, who has won many medals in international meets, announced his retirement from the sport at a media briefing held at the NOC on Wednesday (6). The most precious medal he won was the Bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games held in Delhi in 2010. Besides, he won the gold medal at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship held in South Africa in 2011. He has also won silver medal at the Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow in 2014 and many medals at national and international meets between 2000 to 2019.

Peiris started his career as a 12 year old and ended it having completed 25 years. His first coach was Ranjith Perera who spotted and picked him from his school at St. Mary’s College in Negombo.

Sudesh was then in the 33 kg weight category and would always end up at the best weight lifter. He was the best lifter in 2005 in the under-20 age category and established the Sri Lanka record the next year, observed coach Perera.

“I used to cycle from Negombo to coach Perera’s residence in Katunayake for training. He did not charge me any fees for training but would feed me with a few slices of bread and mangoes that fell from his tree,” said Sudesh. He then joined the Air Force who helped him to participate in meets held island wide.

International achievements:

2006: South Asian Games – bronze medal 69 kg weight class 2010: Commonwealth Games- Delhi, bronze medal 2011: Commonwealth Weightlifting C’ships- gold medal. 2014: Commonwealth Games 2014 Glasgow – Silver medal Sri Lanka team captain 2016: Participated in Brazil Olympics 2016: Commonwealth Weightlifting Games in Malaysia, Silver Medal 69 kg. 2016: South Asian Games, India – Gold medal 62 kg. 2022: Commonwealth Selection Tournament in Singapore, Silver medal 2009 to 2012 and 2016 Japan National Championship, Gold, Silver and Bronze wins.

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