Sri Lanka’s weightlifting arena has witnessed many triumphs, but few shine as brightly as the golden moment written in Doha, Qatar.
Standing tall on the highest step of the podium at the 2026 World University Championship, L.G. Avindu Sasmika delivered an extraordinary performance of strength and mental fortitude.
Raised with a strong foundation at Royal Central College, Polonnaruwa, Avindu first announced his arrival on the national stage back in 2022 at the Junior National Championships, claiming the Gold Medal and setting a new Junior National Record. Now a final-year undergraduate pursuing a BSc. (Hons) in Sports Science and Management, he seamlessly bridges academic excellence with elite athletic performance.
Under the expert guidance of coaches Rageew Wanshapura and R.B. Wickramasinghe, his relentless work ethic continues to inspire the nation.
His historic victory in Doha marks a watershed moment for Sri Lankan collegiate sports, demonstrating that academic discipline and world-class athletic excellence can coexist seamlessly. Through continuous dedication, technical mastery and rigorous physical preparation, Avindu continues to inspire a new generation of university athletes to dream big and reach the absolute pinnacle of international success.
Academic Excellence & Unbeaten Athletic Dominance
Balancing the demanding curriculum of a BSc. (Hons) in Sports Science and Management with elite training requires rare discipline. On the national university circuit, Avindu established an unrivaled era of dominance, becoming a 4-Time Consecutive Interuniversity Gold Medalist and Best Lifter (2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026).
On the national stage, he secured the Silver Medal at the 2025 National Weightlifting Championship, confirming his place among Sri Lanka’s finest lifters.
Avindu’s international journey expanded in 2025 at the Men’s Fajr Cup in Tehran, Iran, where he claimed a prestigious Silver Medal. All his dedication culminated at the 2026 World University Championship in Doha, Qatar, where he conquered the world stage to win the coveted Gold Medal.
Guided by coaches Rageew Wanshapura and R.B. Wickramasinghe, Avindu proves that scientific knowledge and practical execution create a true world champion.
TRUE STRENGTH IS BUILT THROUGH DISCIPLINE, GUIDED BY SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING, AND PROVEN ON THE WORLD STAGE.
FULL NAME: L.G. AVINDU SASMIKA
ACADEMIC STATUS: FINAL YEAR – BSC. (HONS) IN SPORTS SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT
SCHOOL: ROYAL CENTRAL COLLEGE, POLONNARUWA
COACHES: RAGEEW WANSHAPURA & R.B. WICKRAMASINGHE
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT: GOLD MEDALIST – 2026 WORLD UNIVERSITY CHAMPIONSHIP (DOHA, QATAR)
INTERNATIONAL FEAT: SILVER MEDALIST – 2025 FAJR CUP (TEHRAN, IRAN)
NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS: SILVER MEDALIST – 2025 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP | JUNIOR NATIONAL RECORD HOLDER (2022)
INTERUNIVERSITY RECORD: 4X CONSECUTIVE GOLD MEDALIST & BEST LIFTER (2023–2026)