Prasanna wins 'Mr. Classic' title at Novices Nationals

By Lal Gunesekera

BODY BUILDING: I. G. Prasanna (DMMC, Dehiwela) who had come all the way from Qatar to participate at the Novices National Championship of the Interim Committee of the Sri Lanka Body Building and Fitness Federation (SLBBFF) won the Mr. Classic title at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) last week.

S. L. Sirira Kumara was adjudged the first runner-up representing Ultimate Gym, while Fitness Kingdom's Sisirasiri Somapala was the second-runner-up. There were 10 competitors in the Open event.

Kelum Indika of Kaduwela's Chandra Barbel Club was the winner in the 60 KG category with Army's W. D. Wickremaratne the first runner-up and Kasun Sameera of NS Fitness Centre, Ragama as the second runner-up.

P. H. Samantha Wijesiri (Mega Power, Homagama) was the winner of the 65 KG category with L. D. Asela Samantha of Space Gym, Ja-Ela the first runner-up and W. G. P. Daniel Fernando (Power Man, Katana) as the second runner-up.

K. N. Chandana Silva of the Space Gym, Ja-ela was adjudged the winner of the 70 KG category with S. D. Wickremanayake (Lakmini, Galle) as first runner-up and V. Sridaran of Power Man, Katana as the second runner-up.

T. S. Ratnayake representing Power Recreate, Kandy was adjudged the winner in the 75 KG category with YMCA's G. W. I. V. Chandrasiri and Strong Builders T. D. Visidagama as the first and second runners-up respectively.

G. W. S. S. Wijeratne of the YMCA was the winner of the 80 KG category with M. K. Jayasinghe of Power Man, Katana as the first runner-up and S. T. Perera of Manoj Fitness Centre as second runner-up.

M. D. Anurudha Chamila of Body Power Gym, Raddoluwa was adjuged the winner in the 85 KG category with the runner-up being K. Chamara Lakmal Fernando of Power Man, Katana.

D. L. V. Kumudukumara of Mega Power, Homagama was adjudged the winner of the 65 KG category (Junior) with K. Srimanandan of Power Recreate, Kandy the first runner-up and Strong Builders W. Lenin Siwantha the second runner-up.

H. R. Wasantha Silva of Power Man, Katana was the winner in the 70 KG category (Juniors) with Polo Fitness, Matara two "lifters" D. G. K. Randil Sandaruwan and D. P. W. Samaranayake as first and second runners-up respectively.

The Minister of Sports and Recreation, Gamini Lokuge, was the chief guest, while the guests of honour were Bandula Basnayake (Minister of Sports) and Mervyn Jayasinghe (Deputy Chairman of the F & G Group). Singaporeans Augustine Lee (reigning Asian Masters champion) and Joan Liew (reigning Asian women's champion) gave guest performances and were given appreciation awards by the Interim Committee of the SLBBFF, who also gave away special awards of merit to Minister Gamini Lokuge, Minister Bandula Basnayake and F&G's Mervyn Jayasinghe.

Asian Masters and Mr. Classic

The Interim Committee of the SLBBFF has now been requested to stage the Asian Masters Championship and the inaugural Asian Mr. Classic event in Colombo in August-September next year (2008) by the Asian Body Building Federation (ABBF) Secretary-General, Paul Chua.

In a communique to the Chairman of the Interim Committee of the SLBBFF, Jeffrey Schucroft, Chua states that as Hong Kong has already made preparations to stage the Asian Championship in early August next year (2008), Sri Lanka, to be the hosts in 2009. Earlier, Sri Lanka, were planning to stage this event in Colombo.

The Asian Masters will be in age categories - 40 to 55 years, 45 to 50 years, 50 to 55 years, 55 to 60 years and 60 to 65 years, while the inaugural Asian Mr. Classic will be in height categories (Tall, Medium and Short).

"These two events will probably staged from August 28 to September 3 at either the BMICH or the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium and we need at least Rs. 15 million for the purpose. Also, the Mr. Sri Lanka contest will be staged in Kalutara in December this year," said Schucroft.