The inspiring journey of Nadeeka Hemanthi, the country’s first powerlifting woman who rose to stardom from living in a polythene shack:
Nadeeka Hemanthi’s journey into the world of powerlifting is nothing short of remarkable. At the age of 40, Ranasinghe Arachchige Don Nadeeka Hemanthi achieved what many would deem impossible, defying all odds to become Sri Lanka’s first female powerlifting gold medallist at the Asian Championships in Uzbekistan.
But her journey to this victory wasn’t just about lifting weights; it was about lifting herself out of a life of poverty and hardship, driven by unwavering discipline, determination and sacrifice.
Nadeeka Hemanthi with her trophy
Born to parents Sunil Premaratne and Premila Malkanthi, Hemanthi grew up in an environment where financial struggles were constant. Her parents worked tirelessly to support their family of four children, instilling in Hemanthi a sense of resilience and inner strength. The poverty she experienced during her childhood forged her character, teaching her the value of hard work and perseverance.
“Our home was built with polythene, wattle and daub and coconut leaves when we were young,” Hemanthi recalled. “I watched my parents work tirelessly, breaking stones to feed us. They earned daily wages, but even with such hard work, we had little to spare. I remember going to school in uniforms given by our neighbours. We had food to eat, but we lacked proper clothing and other necessities.
“My parents were incredibly hard- working. They would go to the quarry every morning and break stones under the scorching sun,” she recalled. “As a teenager, I joined them after school, carrying rocks and loading lorries. It was tough work, but it taught me discipline and resilience.”
Though she showed an early talent for long-distance running, circumstances never allowed her to pursue her dreams in sports. Hemanthi attended Rukmale Maha Vidyalaya before moving to Homagama Maha Vidyalaya for her O-Levels and Maharagama Central for her A-Levels. She was selected for the junior national volleyball pool, but financial constraints forced her to abandon her athletic dreams.
“I loved running and won or placed second in many school marathons,” she recalled. “But we couldn’t afford the travel or expenses to pursue sports at a higher level.”
After completing her education, Hemanthi’s focus shifted entirely to supporting her family. “My parents started a small shop on wheels near the Homagama Hospital,” she said. “Every day, my father and I travelled to Pettah by train to buy goods and carry them back to the shop. My only goal was to help my parents make ends meet.”
Despite these hardships, Hemanthi excelled in sports. “I’ve always liked physical activities and sports that required exertion. I didn’t enjoy things traditionally associated with girls, like sewing or stitching. I felt I had an inner strength in my physique,” she said.
Life took a turn when she met her husband, Chinthaka Senasinghe, hailing from a wealthy family in the village. “He fell in love with me despite our differences in social status. His family didn’t approve and so we borrowed Rs. 500 and had a simple wedding. We decided to build our life on our own, without burdening anyone,” she recalled.
Hemanthi’s determination was never extinguished. It wasn’t until she turned 37 that she rediscovered her love for physical activity. She found her way into the gym, where, under the guidance of her coach, Milinda Ratnayake, she discovered her hidden talent for powerlifting – a sport that would soon transform her life.
He was the first to recognise her potential. “Milinda looked at me and said, ‘You’re not just strong – you have a talent for powerlifting. You should compete’. He told me I had a gift. I didn’t know anything about powerlifting, but his encouragement gave me confidence.”
Hemanthi participated in her first deadlift competition in September 2023 in Gampaha. “I had trained for just two weeks in Bodytone gym in Maharagama under Kasun Gunawardena and Nilanka Madushanka,” she revealed. “In practice I lifted 115 kg but I managed to lift 122.5 kg in the event and won the 63 kg category.”
“By January 2024, at the National Powerlifting Championship, I lifted 140 kg in the deadlift, 105 kg in the squat and 47.5 kg in the bench press, totalling 292.5 kg to become the national champion. I had improved so much in just three months,” she recalled.
Her performance in another tournament in July earned her a spot at the Asian Powerlifting Championships in Uzbekistan.
“My total was 310kg, which qualified me for the Asian tournament,” she said.
Hemanthi went on to set a new deadlift Sri Lanka record of 150 kg in the Master 1 (40-50 years) 69 kg category. “When I set my mind to something, I’m determined to make it happen. For my training, I used supplements for two months, but other than that, I only had rice and curry at home, with some dry fish and meat occasionally. There was no special nutrition plan. In the last two months, a friend from my gym helped me by providing proteins.
“I trained to perform based on my own body strength, which I believe is far more valuable. But people often ask me how I do the deadlift, and if I’m not scared of dropping the weights. I do it instinctively, and I tell them I have confidence in my arms, knowing they are strong enough to handle the load.
“At the Asian meet, the record was 145.5kg, but I lifted 150kg. I had hoped to lift 155kg or even 160kg, but the climate conditions hindered my chances. As soon as I landed, I felt sick with a fever. I still participated in the meet, having taken medicine, and performed because of my mental strength.
“When I arrived, I weighed 70kg, but I had to reduce to 69kg. I didn’t eat anything before the weigh-in, just had a bun 30 minutes before my event,” she revealed.
Hemanthi credits her achievements to her family, coach, and friends. “My husband is my rock,” she says. “When I’m training or competing, he takes care of everything at home. My coach, Milinda, is like a second father – he’s always pushing me to aim higher.”
At age 40, Hemanthi has become an international star, proving that it’s never too late to pursue dreams and achieve greatness. Behind her success is a story of a woman who rose above her circumstances, driven by an iron determination to succeed in the ‘iron sport’ of powerlifting.
Looking ahead, Hemanthi is focussed on continuing her powerlifting journey. “I’ve found a sport that suits me perfectly. My goal is to compete in the World Classic Asia Pacific in Japan in July. With the support of my husband, coach, and well-wishers, I know I can achieve more.
“I started late, but that won’t stop me from reaching the top. My goal is to make Sri Lanka proud.
“I’ve faced injuries, but with the help of physios like Kamal, I’ve managed to recover and keep going. I don’t rely on supplements – just rice, curry, and determination. My strength comes from within, and I want to prove that you don’t need extraordinary resources to achieve extraordinary things”, said Hemanthi.
Hemanthi’s story is a testament to the power of discipline, sacrifice and perseverance. It is the story of a girl who, despite the odds, became a champion – earning not just a gold medal, but a place in the hearts of many as a symbol of power and the indomitable human spirit.
